How Dangerous is Lightning?
Lightning is a major cause of storm related deaths in the U.S. A lightning strike can result in a cardiac arrest (heart stopping) at the time of the injury, although some victims may appear to have a delayed death a few days later if they are resuscitated but have suffered irreversible brain damage.
According to the NWS Storm Data, over the last 30 years (1986-2015) the U.S. has averaged 48 reported lightning fatalities per year. Only about 10% of people who are struck by lightning are killed, leaving 90% with various degrees of disability. More recently, in the last 10 years (2006-2015), the U.S. has averaged 31 lightning fatalities.
Odds of Becoming a Lightning Victim
(based on averages for 2006-2015) |
|
Estimated U.S. population as of 2016 |
318,000,000 |
Average Number of Deaths Reported
|
31 |
Estimated number of Injuries
|
279 |
310 |
Odds of being struck in a given year (estimated total deaths + injuries) |
1/1,042,000 |
Odds of being struck in your lifetime (Est. 80 years) |
1/13,000 |
Odds you will be affected by someone struck (10 people for every 1 struck) |
1/1,300 |
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