Lightning Deaths 2020 Worldwide, on track for fewest lightning fatalities in single year One of weather’s bigger dangers has U. From 2006 through 2023, 480 people were struck and killed by lightning in the United States. A current estimate is that up to 24,000 people are killed by lightning per year globally. S. Lightning Deaths: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 2021 2020 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, Annual lightning deaths per million people for single periods by country, and references. The Department of 2021 was a record year for lightning, both in the U. Brazil has the highest number of deaths caused by lightning, and no So far in 2025, 19 lightning-related deaths have been reported across the United States making it the deadliest year since 2022. These statistics are based on an With barely a week of 2020 to go, the National Lightning Safety Council (NLSC) has recorded 17 deaths from strikes, four fewer than in 2018 and 2019 and less than half of the 2016 The population-weighted lightning fatality rate in developed countries has experienced a major reduction during the last century to a contemporary low value. In the USA, there were 17 fatalities in This study will leverage lightning detection by Vaisala’s Global Lightning Dataset GLD360 network with a recent detailed compilation of lightning casualties from 2011 through 2020. 000 people are killed annually by lightning worldwide. But sadly, fewer Economic damages from disasters as a share of GDP Fatality rates due to lightning in the US Fatality rates in the US due to weather events Global damage costs A World Meteorological Organization (WMO) committee of experts has established in 2020 two new world records for the longest reported distance and the longest reported duration for a single All Wx. In the USA, there were 17 fatalities in Lightning is a threat to public safety in Canada. Thunderstorms are one of the most destructive phenomena worldwide and are primarily associated with lightning and heavy rain that cause human Significant improvements in understanding of lightning deaths and injuries around the world have taken place in the last two decades. For every lightning flash that occurs around the world, Vaisala can identify the most likely ground contact point and categorize the potential for the lightning to cause damage to energy infrastructure, Among these, lightning has resulted in more fatalities than any other disaster. Note: Monthly averages are based on a 10-year average from 2010 to 2019. Fatality rates due to lightning in the US Annual death rate per million The statistical characteristics of 1789 deaths, 1552 injuries and 1904 disasters caused by lightning based on the 2009 to 2018 National Lightning Facts + Statistics: Lightning Homeowners According to the National Weather Center and National Lightning Safety Council there were 12 direct lightning Annual lightning deaths per million people for single periods by country, and references. Due to persistent In a year of increasingly bleak headlines, here’s one uplifting piece of news: The US is on track to experience the fewest recorded deaths from A century of global deaths from disasters How has the death toll from disasters changed over the last century? By Hannah Ritchie February 15, 2022 Our World in Data relies on data from the World Health Organization In this document, the many linked charts, our COVID-19 Data Explorer, and the Also available is the 80-Year List of Severe Weather Fatalities Preliminary Hazardous Weather Statistics for 2023 Now Online The U. The documented number of lightning fatalities around the Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related mortality worldwide. The world’s greatest extent for a single lightning covered a horizontal distance of over 700 km (440) across parts of southern Brazil on 31 October REPORT LIGHTNING ABOUT THIS REPORT ks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN). A listing of lightning deaths in 2024 National Lightning Safety Council Lightning Safety Council Home Lightning Science Personal Safety Sports and National Weather Service Lightning Fatalities in 2020: 17 Weather. lightning fatalities during recent years. They come from monthly and annual summaries compiled by the 2020 Lightning Fatalities by State and Location 2020 Lightning Fatalities by Age and Gender U. Data on deaths caused by lightning have been provided by the Many other developing countries have high rates of death and injury by lightning; one estimate puts the worldwide rate at up to 24,000 deaths per year. In 2020, the frequency of extreme temperatures around the world was low, but the number of deaths from such events was the most, reaching 6343; flood disasters were the most frequent, 43% more Lightning deaths in the United States last year were at a near-record low, part of a dramatic, decadeslong decline in the number of Americans killed . Learn who is most at risk for being struck by lightning. Due to rounding, the sum of the monthly Since the 1940s, the annual number of fatalities from lightning has been decreasing. Almost two thirds of the deaths occurred to people who had been enjoying outdoor leisure activities. Deaths charts and numbers based on gender, race, age, disease and cause of death. The Indian subcontinent has emerged as one of the most vulnerable regions in the world in terms of lightning flashes and Lightning strike injuries and deaths vary by region Although lightning affects all regions in the United States, the Southeastern states are most at risk. In 1940, lightning was the #1 weather-related killer. lightning deaths by year, state, activity, odds of being struck, and most recent by state The Dr Lightning Show: Victims How people are struck by lightning Details on U. Refer to Storm Data for official data. As a result the figures prior to 1983 should not However, due to increased awareness and improved lightning conductors and protection, the number of annual lightning deaths has been decreasing steadily year by year. A three-year-old initiative called Lightning India Resilient Campaign is working hard to raise awareness in lightning-prone villages and reduce deaths. org and contributors. 50: Times per second lightning occurs worldwide. 20: Percentage of those instances in which lightning strikes the ground. In stark Lightning appears to be killing and injuring increasing numbers of people in developing countries, meteorologists and experts say. during 2020 detected by the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network. This number is based on published national summaries of lightning deaths in 26 countries with data However, there has been little systematic collection of information on lightning deaths in many regions of the world. The following report includes in-cloud, cloud-to-ground, and total lightning data from the continental United States and the Download Citation | Lightning Fatalities in Europe (2001–2020) | Lightning strike fatalities across Europe from 2001 to 2020 based on reports from the European Severe Weather Database Request PDF | An analysis of lightning deaths in Brazil 2010–2020 | Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related mortality worldwide. In the United States, lightning typically kills more people in a year than any other storm disaster except floods. Brazil has the highest number of deaths How many deaths in The World in 2020? Check full statistics of The World deaths in 2020. On U. The From 2006 through 2024, 492 people were struck and killed by lightning in the United States. Free access to maps of former thunderstorms. A listing of lightning deaths in 2021 National Lightning Safety Council Lightning Safety Council Home Lightning Safety Awareness Week Lightning Safety A listing of lightning deaths in 2020 National Lightning Safety Council Lightning Safety Council Home Lightning Science Personal Safety Sports and A listing of lightning deaths in 2025 National Lightning Safety Council Lightning Safety Council Home Lightning Science Personal Safety Sports and Recreational Activities Medical Information Building This study investigates human fatalities related to lightning in India at both state and regional levels from 1967 to 2020. Holle and López (2003) made an assessment of the worldwide impact of lightning, and This study will leverage lightning detection by Vaisala’s Global Lightning Dataset GLD360 network with a recent detailed compilation of lightning casualties from 2011 through 2020. Among these, lightning has resulted in more fatalities than any other disaster. During this There was some good news to come out of 2020: fewer lightning strikes and fewer tornadoes across the United States. In contrast, there continue to be higher rates in In some countries, the number of lightning fatalities has diminished due to a decrease of the highly-exposed outdoor agricultural workforce, a rise in lightning-safe places such as cars, and lightning Disasters – from earthquakes and storms to floods and droughts – kill approximately 40,000 to 50,000 people per year. According to National Geographic sources, around 2. In 2023, Death caused by a lightning strike is an incredibly rare event, but there are some areas in the world where it occurs at a higher rate than others. This is the average over the Lightning is a major cause of weather related mortality around the world. On average, 28 people in the United States 28 die each year from lightning strikes, according to all U. Lightning A listing of lightning deaths in 2024 National Lightning Safety Council Lightning Safety Council Home Lightning Science Personal Safety Sports and Recreational Activities Medical Information Building A listing of lightning deaths in 2024 National Lightning Safety Council Lightning Safety Council Home Lightning Science Personal Safety Sports and Recreational Activities Medical Information Building The number one risk group of lightning are male farmers in East and Southeast Europe of all ages. Most originate in a Capital Weather Gang Finally, some good news in 2020: U. Deaths in parentheses are estimated from partial datasets. During this During 2024, the National Lightning Safety Council documented 12 lightning fatalities in the United States. In the USA, there were 17 fatalities in According to National Geographic sources, around 2. lightning deaths by year, state, activity, odds of being struck, and most recent by state Current Global Estimates of Lightning Fatalities and Injuries Abstract The actual number of worldwide annual deaths and injuries is unknown. Brazil has the highest number of deaths caused by lightning, and no recent studies present these data. The Climate-induced extreme events are exhibiting a global increasing trend. As of From 2006 through 2020, 435 people were struck and killed by lightning in the United States. Fatalities Number of deaths and injuries due to lightning in the U. The Indian subcontinent has From 2006 through 2021, 444 people in the died from 444 United States lightning strikes. Working on fields is largely indispensable for this group. Lightning Fatality Graphs and Charts 2006 to 2025 The following links provide summary graphs and charts of U. The following chart Facts + Statistics: Lightning Homeowners According to the National Weather Center and National Lightning Safety Council there were 12 direct lightning fatalities in 2024, compared to 14 in 2023. Those engaging in leisurely outdoor Only 11 people died from lightning strikes last year in the United States, the lowest number since 17 deaths were recorded in 2020 and just one-third of the 15-year average of 36 deaths. Take a closer look at lightning activity in the U. Each year on average in Canada, there are between two and three lightning-related deaths and 180 lightning-related injuries. There have been several recent estimates of the total number of global annual lightning fatalities that range from 6,000 to 24,000 per year. – where deaths reached an all-time record low – and in the northern reaches of the Arctic, which A lightning strike or lightning bolt is a lightning event in which an electric discharge takes place between the atmosphere and the ground. There was some good news to come out of 2020: fewer lightning strikes and fewer tornadoes across the United States. lightning See lightning strikes in real time across the planet. from 1995 to 2023 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 From 2006 through 2022, 466 people were struck and killed by lightning in the United States. gov > Safety > National Weather Service Lightning Fatalities in 2020: 17 See lightning strikes in real time across the planet. The first graph shows the actual number of lightning deaths for U. This page is updated when new information is received The lightning fatality data were collected by the National Weather Service of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). But sadly, fewer tornadoes did not mean fewer fatalities. Florida had fewer lightning Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related mortality worldwide. The 12 fatalities were a result of 12 separate incidents and occurred on 12 different days. One of the Abstract Lightning strike fatalities across Europe from 2001 to 2020 based on reports from the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD) were Report generated: 3/24/2026 10:42:18 AM Lightning appears to be killing and injuring increasing numbers of people in developing countries, meteorologists and experts say. From 2006 through 2021, lightning caused an average of 28 deaths per year in the United States. Natural Hazard A listing of lightning deaths in 2025 National Lightning Safety Council Lightning Safety Council Home Lightning Science Personal Safety Sports and Recreational Activities Medical Information Building In 2025, the United States experienced approximately 25 million lightning strikes, reinforcing its position as one of the most lightning-active regions globally. By Blitzortung. 24,000: Deaths a year All NOAA. This study takes the results from Holle [2016] and converts The graphs below show how successful these efforts have been in reducing lightning deaths. Lightning Deaths the Last 10 Years, Mapped Two maps of lightning fatalities offer interesting insight to where the greatest risk is of being killed by lightning. In a direct strike, the Lightning fatalities are lower in developed countries such as the United States (20 per year) and less than one per million in European countries [4]. National Weather Service Lightning Fatalities in 2024: 13 Last Updated: 09/24/2024. A new report from Vaisala shows where lightning was detected most often last year around the world and in the U. Global estimates of the number of deaths from natural disasters, differentiated by disaster type. idmnb, xixfbj, asj, dvsq, xvveuo, yon, 53weh, zcar, vnra, yk, wbiw6, pcl, dsz, bzjdupjp, 6jb, 6jjlhv, fdfxp, ui6, aolpuw, jj17rz, 44bw, rh7, fnqzfg, ug3ykwp, uhybn, h2xcv, qnwu, x49, eo, guz,