Where Are You Most Likely to Be Struck by Lightning?

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not on the golf course, although it is while you’re engaged in leisure activities. According to a recent analysis by the National Weather Service, there were 238 people killed by lightning in the US from 2006 to 2012, and two-thirds of them occurred in people enjoying outdoor leisure activities.1

As you might suspect, the deaths spiked during the summer months of June, July and August, and on Saturdays and Sundays, when people are most likely to be outdoors.

The report noted that in many of the cases, the victims were either headed to safety, or just steps away from safety, when the fatal strike occurred, so if you think a storm is approaching, don’t wait to seek shelter! Interestingly, golf didn’t even make the top 10 list of leisure activities associated with the most lightning deaths (it was #12). The top locations revealed by the analysis were:

  1. Fishing
  2. Camping
  3. Boating
  4. Soccer
  5. Beach
  6. Farming or ranching
  7. Riding a bike, motorcycle or ATV
  8. Social gathering
  9. Yard work
  10. Walking to/from home

If a lightening storm blows in while fishing it is best to go to the ramp and wait in your car. Competition will resume when it passes.