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September Proves to be Deadly Month of Lightning Strikes

Christy Bowen

9 hours ago
Five people were killed by lightning strikes in September, the deadliest month for such fatalities since 2013. (Adobe Stock)

September was a particularly deadly month for lightning strikes, with five fatalities attributed to this force of nature. Read on for the details, as well as how you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

Lightning Strikes Claim Five Lives in September

Three men were killed by lightning in one day in September, bringing the total number of deaths to five for the month. According to the National Lightning Safety Council, this is the most for any September since 2013. The death toll at the hands of lightning now stands at 19 for the year. This is about the average number over the last decade; however, there are three months left to add to that grim total.

September 22 was especially deadly, with three confirmed fatalities due to lightning. Authorities in Wisconsin launched a search for a forester with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources when he failed to return from his work out on a trail that day. Search crew members found the 48-year-old man at 7:40 pm, dead in a wooded area in Kewaskum in Washington County.  A lightning strike had been observed in this area at 10:15 am.

The death was the first lightning-related fatality in the state since 2021. The National Weather Service (NWS) said that it was the 11th lightning death in Wisconsin since 2006.

On September 24, law enforcement officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found two deceased men who had not returned from a hunting trip on September 22. The Highlands County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the 38-year-old and 31-year-old were killed by an apparent lightning strike. The two hunting dogs that had accompanied the men were also killed.

The two fatalities in Florida bring the total number of deaths by this weather element to three for the year in the state. Florida leads the country in lightning fatalities, coming in at 96 deaths since 2006.

Also in September, another pair of hunters lost their lives to lightning in Colorado. A 25-year-old from Asheville, North Carolina, and a 25-year-old from Salt Lake City were hunting elk in the wilderness when they were reportedly struck by lightning. The two men last spoke with family members on September 11, prompting their loved ones to report them as missing on September 13. The bodies were discovered on September 18.

Lightning Safety Tips

Experts warn: “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Staying inside buildings or vehicles reduces risk during storms. (Adobe Stock)

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