Texas Has the Second Highest Number of Lightning Deaths in the US

It's severe storm season in Texas, which means we'll see our fair share of tornadoes, large hail, and deadly lightning. Sadly, that also means traffic deaths caused by these storms. But what state leads the way in lightning fatalities?

Lightning Fatalities In America

According to the Lightning Safety Council, between 2015 and 2024, there have been 199 fatalities caused by someone being struck by lightning. The electrifying statistics were compiled by the National Weather Service of NOAA, which used data from storm data collected from weather.gov and their website.

MORE: America's Windiest Cities Include Several Texas Towns

Where Lightning Strikes Most In Texas

The odds of you getting struck by lightning are one in a million, however, it can strike at any time and can cause death. In Texas, the severe weather season can be brutal, with several supercells that cause cloud-to-ground lightning. So, it's no surprise where Texas is ranked when it comes to lightning fatalities.

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What's really wild is that states like Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Kansas typically get a ton of severe weather that causes a lot of cloud-to-ground lightning, so it's very surprising that those states didn't make the top 10 list.

If there is one thing that this list does tell me, it is that I won't be visiting the Sunshine State of Florida anytime soon, especially during storm season.

MORE: Texas Counties With The Most Tornadoes

Stay Safe When The Storms Get Electrifying In Texas

If you encounter a storm that is dropping bolts of lightning, there are some safe things you can do to avoid being a statistic.

• Thunder Roars Go Indoors - If you can hear thunder, you are close enough for lightning to strike.
• Avoid Metal & Water - I think this is pretty much common sense, but it is definitely a safety tactic to avoid getting struck by lightning.
• Unplug - Electronics can get fried during a storm. Avoid using something that is plugged in during a lightning storm.
• No Hiding Under A Tree - Trees are like magnets during a severe storm. Avoid these bad boys at all costs during a storm.

Lightning is no joke and it's important to take every precaution during a storm, especially when you're in the Lone Star State.