Lightning Strikes Injure Over 20 People and Kill One This Week

The record-breaking heat wave was not the only weather event grabbing the headlines this week. A number of other weather-related incidents highlighted the specific dangers that are more common during the summer months. Here is a look back.

Lightning Strikes Injure at Least Two Dozen People

At least two dozen people have been injured by lightning strikes over the last week. This is the time of the year when lightning strikes happen with greater frequency, making it important to stay aware of the risks associated with severe weather.

Multiple people have been injured across the Southeast and in Florida with one confirmed fatality. One single lightning strike sent 20 swimmers in South Carolina to the hospital on Tuesday. Emergency responders were called to treat the injured at Lake Murray Dam, located approximately 15 miles east of Columbia. All of the injured are expected to recover.

According to local officials, a bolt of lightning struck the water and sent currents through a metal cable used in the buoys. Some of the swimmers had been holding onto the cable when the lightning struck. It was not raining when the lightning hit the lake.

Also, this week, a lightning strike at a beach in Florida knocked four females unconscious. The group of friends was visiting Marco Island from Kentucky when a thunderstorm ignited and quickly moved across the popular beach resort destination. The women tried to take shelter under a tiki hut, however, it was not enough to protect them from the lightning. All of the women are expected to recover fully.

It was just one day earlier when a man from Colorado died after being struck by lightning at New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The 29-year-old was on his honeymoon when the storm hit at the beach located about 45 miles from Orlando.

According to the National Lightning Safety Council (NLSC), there have been four deaths blamed on lightning this year in the U.S. Fishing is the riskiest activity when lightning is in the area, followed closely by visiting the beach. The majority of lightning-related injuries and deaths in the U.S. happen during the months of June, July, and August.

While you cannot control the whims of Mother Nature, you can reduce your risk of becoming the victim of a lightning strike by enabling severe weather alerts on your phone. The NLSC reminds people to head indoors at the first rumble of thunder, even if lightning is not visible.

Lifeguard Impaled by Flying Beach Umbrella

Strong winds sent a beach umbrella flying at Asbury Park, New Jersey, injuring a lifeguard. The young woman was setting up the umbrella on Wednesday morning when high winds sent it airborne. The umbrella pierced through her shoulder before it came out of her back.

Firefighters rushed to the scene and cut the umbrella out of both sides of her body before transporting the victim to the hospital. The pole was left in place in order to prevent blood loss.

While this was a freak accident, beach umbrellas are susceptible to becoming airborne and causing injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning that these incidents are becoming more common.

You can mitigate the odds of airborne umbrellas by taking care to anchor the umbrella properly. It is also important to pay attention to changing weather conditions and remove the umbrella entirely when winds hit speeds of 30 mph or greater.

Falling Boulder Barely Misses Swimmers at Utah Waterfall

Two swimmers barely escaped injury when a boulder fell down a waterfall in Utah this week. The swimmers were enjoying the water at Lower Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument when several large rocks came cascading down the waterfall and into the pool of water.

Officials with the Bureau of Land Management said that they will investigate the incident and determine how to mitigate this risk in the future. This particular waterfall is located in a rugged area of south-central Utah. The pool of water is located within a popular six-mile hiking trail that offers scenic views of the 126-foot waterfall.

The summer provides an ideal opportunity to get outside and enjoy the warm temperatures and the beauty of the season. However, it is imperative to be aware of the dangers associated with the summer outdoor recreational opportunities so that you can take the appropriate precautions.

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