Latest news with #NationalLightningSafetyCouncil
Axios
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Axios
How and where Utahns get struck by lightning
Central Utah is the most lightning-prone part of the state, per weather data firm Vaisala Xweather. Why it matters: Summer thunderstorm season famously sparks wildfires — but a lot of people have been hurt or killed by direct or nearby lightning strikes in Utah. By the numbers: Sanpete County led the state for ground strikes in 2024, with nearly 22 per square mile. That number was 20 in Sevier County. Most of the country has fewer than 100 ground strikes per square mile, but there are hundreds in some counties in the southeast. Walker County, Texas, had about 825 strikes per square mile. The intrigue: Most lightning injuries — about 90%, per the CDC — aren't fatal, but they're still terrifying. Victims describe long recoveries, physical disabilities and PTSD. Utah tied for the 16th-most fatalities in the past decade, according to the National Lightning Safety Council. Here are some of the circumstances in which Utahns have been hurt or killed by lightning. Many here involved storms that appeared and disappeared quickly in areas where shelter wasn't readily available. August 2024: An Ogden man died after lightning struck a boat in which he was fishing in the Bear River. His brother and friend suffered lightning exit wounds but survived. August 2024: A man was landscaping his yard in SLC when he saw the blue-white flash of lightning. He told KSL-TV that "gibberish" came out of his mouth when he tried to speak and that he experienced pain for days. June 2024: 50 kids in a church youth group felt a shock when lightning struck the ground near where they were hiking in eastern Sevier County. At least one hiker was carrying an umbrella, which appeared to attract a bolt. Seven were taken to hospitals by ambulance. One teen compared the strike to being hit in the head by a baseball bat. Another said it was like being crushed by bricks. June 2020: A man was knocked unconscious when lightning struck behind him while he was hiking near Eagle Mountain. February 2018: A golfer in St. George suffered burns on 20% of his body when a lightning bolt hit him and set him "on fire," a friend said. August 2017: Three sisters, ages 3, 6 and 7, were fishing at Lilly Lake in the Uinta Mountains when lightning struck them. July 2016: A 14-year-old girl was killed and her stepmother was injured when their jet ski was hit by lightning at Flaming Gorge as they tried to return to the dock due to a sudden storm.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Potent, locally damaging thunderstorms to hit multiple parts of US through Mother's Day
Thunderstorms that erupt and affect different portions of the central, southern and eastern United States will carry the risk of being severe into Saturday, AccuWeather meteorologists say. Next week, severe storms may mark an end to summerlike heat over the northern Plains. A large zone where thunderstorms will be heavy to potentially severe into Thursday night is forecast from central Mississippi, northeastward to a large portion of West Virginia and Virginia. This includes areas that are still recovering following Hurricane Helene last hurricane season. The main threat to lives and property from these storms will be high wind gusts, significant hail and flash flooding of urban areas and along small streams. Lightning strikes can occur with little or no notice. There have already been two lightning-related fatalities in the U.S. in 2025, according to the National Lightning Safety Council. Powerful wind gusts can break tree limbs and pose dangers to those passing beneath. Power surges and long-lasting power outages from the storms can result in financial losses. Most of these thunderstorms will be most active from midafternoon to midevening. Airline passengers should expect significant delays at the main hubs of Atlanta and Charlotte, with ripple effects likely at the regional connecting flights into Thursday the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+ Farther to the southwest, a zone of more intense thunderstorms is forecast to affect the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Mexico into Thursday evening. "The storms in this sector will have the potential to produce powerful wind gusts by way of large, destructive downbursts," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. "Where the storms repeat, there can be dangerous flash flooding as well." Some of the strongest thunderstorms in this Rio Grande Valley may also be capable of producing large hail and perhaps a few tornadoes. By Friday, the severe weather threat will have ended over South Texas. However, the likelihood of at least heavy, gusty thunderstorms will extend along much of the southern Atlantic Seaboard during the afternoon and evening. Storms capable of causing disruptive torrential downpours and gusty winds will extend from southeastern Virginia to much of the Florida Panhandle and the northeastern part of the Florida Peninsula. There may also be a few heavy, gusty thunderstorms farther west to through the lower Mississippi Valley, the central Gulf coast and even a small part of the southern Plains. Thunderstorm dangers to continue beyond Friday Over the Mother's Day weekend, at the very least, locally heavy and gusty thunderstorms are expected on the southern and eastern flanks of a slow-moving area of low pressure over the Southern states. This zone may shrink to a small part of the southern Atlantic coast on Saturday but may expand more to the west and north on Sunday. As this storm lifts slowly northeastward, robust thunderstorms are likely to continue, capable of causing disruptions and possibly damage in parts of the Southeastern states and the Northeast early next week. Meanwhile, a slow-moving storm from the Pacific may begin to trigger severe thunderstorms over portions of the northern Rockies early next week then perhaps portions of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest later next week. These thunderstorms would erupt near the boundary between summerlike air, then in place, and a push of much cooler air from the west. "There certainly looks like a great deal of dynamics from the jet stream in place for the middle of next week, but moisture may be too limited for widespread severe weather," AccuWeather Expert Long-Range Meteorologist Joe Lundberg said. "However, if conditions change, then the scope of severe weather for the North Central states could increase." Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Most fatal lightning strikes kill people doing this routine activity
There's danger out on the water. Already this spring, two Americans have been struck and killed by lightning, both while fishing from a boat. It's a surprisingly dangerous activity: "Fishing leads to more lightning deaths in the U.S. than any other activity," said lightning safety expert John Jensenius of the National Lightning Safety Council. Since 2006, there have been a total of 44 lightning deaths linked to fishing, he said. Just this week, April 22, a man was killed in Rankin County, Mississippi, while fishing from a boat on a reservoir. And last week, a man near Jacksonville, North Carolina, was struck by lightning, also while fishing from a boat. He later died as a result of the incident. Fishing is dangerous during a lightning storm "in part, because it often requires extra time to get to a safe place," Jensenius said. "It's vitally important for anyone who is fishing, especially from a boat, to closely monitor weather conditions and head to safety at the first signs of a developing or approaching storm." Of those 44 people killed by lightning while fishing, 41 were men. That's not unusual: On average, some 80% of lightning fatalities are men. Lightning deaths in the United States are dramatically lower than they were decades ago. How dramatic? Eighty-two years ago, in 1943, 432 people died after being struck by lightning. And that wasn't unusual for the 1940s, when several hundred people were typically killed each year, according to the National Weather Service. As recently as 2001, when a national lightning safety campaign began, the U.S. still averaged 55 lightning deaths a year. Now the average is down to 21, said Jensenius. More: Don't listen to this common thunderstorm safety advice Here are some tips for fishing if lightning threatens: ∎ Before going fishing or out on the water in a boat, always check the weather and consider postponing the outing if thunderstorms are forecast.∎ If you do go out, if possible, monitor radar or lightning data on your phone.∎ Listen for distant thunder. Keep a watchful eye on the sky. Be aware that the sound of the motor may make it difficult to hear thunder.∎ Be ready to get to safety immediately at the first sign of an approaching or developing storm. Always account for the amount of time it will take to get to shore and to a safe place. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lightning strike deaths occur most often during this activity
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Most fatal lightning strikes kill people doing this routine activity
Most fatal lightning strikes kill people doing this routine activity Already this spring, two in the U.S. have been struck and killed by lightning, both while fishing from a boat. Show Caption Hide Caption The dangers of dry thunderstorms during wildfire season People hope for rain to slow the spread of wildfires. It's easy to rejoice if you see a developing thunderstorm, but don't be fooled by a dry thunderstorm. AccuWeather Fishing is the leading cause of lightning strike deaths in the U.S., with 44 fatalities since 2006. The time it takes to reach safety while fishing, especially from a boat, contributes to the risk. Men are disproportionately affected by lightning strikes, accounting for 80% of fatalities. There's danger out on the water. Already this spring, two Americans have been struck and killed by lightning, both while fishing from a boat. It's a surprisingly dangerous activity: "Fishing leads to more lightning deaths in the U.S. than any other activity," said lightning safety expert John Jensenius of the National Lightning Safety Council. Since 2006, there have been a total of 44 lightning deaths linked to fishing, he said. Just this week, April 22, a man was killed in Rankin County, Mississippi, while fishing from a boat on a reservoir. And last week, a man near Jacksonville, North Carolina, was struck by lightning, also while fishing from a boat. He later died as a result of the incident. Why is fishing so dangerous? Fishing is dangerous during a lightning storm "in part, because it often requires extra time to get to a safe place," Jensenius said. "It's vitally important for anyone who is fishing, especially from a boat, to closely monitor weather conditions and head to safety at the first signs of a developing or approaching storm." Of those 44 people killed by lightning while fishing, 41 were men. That's not unusual: On average, some 80% of lightning fatalities are men. Lightning used to kill a lot more people Lightning deaths in the United States are dramatically lower than they were decades ago. How dramatic? Eighty-two years ago, in 1943, 432 people died after being struck by lightning. And that wasn't unusual for the 1940s, when several hundred people were typically killed each year, according to the National Weather Service. As recently as 2001, when a national lightning safety campaign began, the U.S. still averaged 55 lightning deaths a year. Now the average is down to 21, said Jensenius. More: Don't listen to this common thunderstorm safety advice Lightning safety tips when fishing Here are some tips for fishing if lightning threatens: ∎ Before going fishing or out on the water in a boat, always check the weather and consider postponing the outing if thunderstorms are forecast.∎ If you do go out, if possible, monitor radar or lightning data on your phone.∎ Listen for distant thunder. Keep a watchful eye on the sky. Be aware that the sound of the motor may make it difficult to hear thunder.∎ Be ready to get to safety immediately at the first sign of an approaching or developing storm. Always account for the amount of time it will take to get to shore and to a safe place.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Recent deaths highlight the danger of fishing during lightning
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — At least two lightning deaths have been reported in the U.S. in the last two weeks and both incidents were related to fishing. The first lightning-related death took place on April 11 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. A 39-year-old man was reportedly struck by lightning while fishing from a boat with his son and friends. He later died as a result of the incident. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → Meanwhile, the second death took place on April 22 when a 68-year-old man was reportedly fishing from a boat on a reservoir in Rankin County, Mississippi when he was struck and killed by lightning. The incidents are a stark reminder of the dangers of lightning while out on a boat. 'Fishing is the activity that leads to the most lighting deaths in the United States,' said Johnson Jensenius, a lightning specialist with the National Lightning Safety Council. 'In fact, since 2006, we have now seen 44 lightning deaths related to fishing activities. Boating also leads to quite a few fatalities. We've seen 25 fatalities for boating. So, between fishing and boating, a total of 69 fatalities since 2006.' 'The most important thing to know is that if you are going out on a boat, you should monitor weather conditions before you go out,' Jensenius advised. If storms in the forecast, consider canceling or postponing the activity. If you do go out, monitor weather conditions, keep an eye on the sky, and if you hear thunder, you need to get to a safe place right away. Want the forecast delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for the News 2 Forecast Newsletter Keep in mind when you are out there, you do need to account for the amount of time it's going to take you to get back and to get into a safe place. 'You can only hear lightning about ten miles out from a storm, and lightning can strike outward ten miles,' Jensenius explained. 'So, if you are hearing thunder, even a distant rumble, you are within striking distance of the storm. People often wait too long to get to safety, and that puts them in a dangerous and potentially deadly situation.' ⏩ Take advantage of modern technology. Have an app on your phone that monitors radar and lightning data. Our News 2 Weather App will notify you when lightning is in your area. So, let's have a safe fishing season, and when the thunder roars, get off of the lake and indoors. Don't forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
