Florida is the nation’s ‘Lightning Capital.’ Here’s how many have died

Having more lightning-related deaths than all other states, Central Florida is considered the “Lightning Capital” of the country, according to the National Weather Service.

Between 1959 and 2004, Michigan had 815 people killed or hurt by lightning. North Carolina, the second-most area, eked that figure out at 818 people.

In Florida, that number was 2,117 people. Over 400 of the victims died.

This is mainly because Florida is a large, warm landmass surrounded by water, making it easier for storms to develop.

[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]

“Most years, the lightning of Florida tends to happen very close to the I-4 corridor,” News 6 Chief Meteorologist Tom Sorrels explains. “This is due to the collision of the sea breezes and the abundance of thunderstorms for a large part of the year. Other parts of the state get storms, to be sure, but they don’t have the kind of setup Central Florida has for the storms.”

Since 2006, Broward and Lee counties have had the greatest number of deaths, sitting at eight people each.

NWS data shows that many of those killed by lightning in the state were either near trees, by water or on a roof when the lightning strike hit.

“As a rule, lightning seems to seek the path of least resistance. It does tend to strike the tallest object,” Sorrells says. “This does not always happen, but taller objects seem to be hit most often, so trees are a natural target, and anyone on a beach or a flat area of water will be the highest point around.”

In addition, the vast majority of those struck were men — 85% — while women accounted for approximately 15% of those deaths.

According to Sorrells, this is mainly because men are more likely to work outdoors or take risks, making them easier targets for a lightning strike.

It used to be that 10 lighting-related deaths per year were a standard for Florida. However, education has helped cut that number down to four in 2023.

Sorrells also shares some advice for avoiding being struck by lightning.

“More people are killed by the approaching storm and the leaving storm than at the height of the storm. This is because many people take the risk of staying with what they are doing as the storm approaches,” Sorrells says. “Most everyone knows to stay inside during the rough part of the storm, but they are slow to take action as the storm approaches, and then too quick to go back outside when they think the storm is over. "

Below are the areas where each fatal lightning strike since 2006 occurred and what the victim was doing at that time.

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: