Golf courses are one of the top spots for lightning fatalities; how can you stay safe?

USA Today

4 days ago

Lightning kills about 20 people in the United States each year, and hundreds more are severely injured, according to the National Weather Service.
The numbers became real when a Colorado man was hit by lightning in New Smyrna Beach on June 20 as he stood in ankle-deep water. Initially in critical condition after being hospitalized, the 29-year-old man − in Florida for his honeymoon − died from the lightning strike the next day.
On June 8, Spencer Loalbo, a 41-year-old father of three and his father were golfing in Gunter, Texas, when they were hit by a single bolt from a single storm cloud, authorities said, according to NBC 5 in Dallas. Loalbo was killed in the "blink of an eye," stated a GoFundMe fundraiser set up for his wife and daughters. His father was critically injured and taken to a hospital.
Spencer Loalbo's death was the third lightning fatality in the United States this year.
Golf has contributed to about 3% of lightning death since 2006, according to data compiled by Jensenius.
➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location
Lightning is nothing new to Florida, which kept its title in 2024 as the state with the most lightning, according to AEM, which describes itself as essential source for environmental insights.
"While lightning fatalities have decreased over the past 30 years, lightning continues to be one of the top storm-related killers in the United States," the National Lightning Safety Council said. "In addition, lightning injures many more people than it kills and leaves some survivors with life-long health problems."
'Underrated killer': Lightning Safety Awareness Week held June 22-28, 2025
National Lightning Safety Awareness Week started in 2001 in order "to call attention to lightning being an underrated killer," the National Weather Service said.
This year, the week started Sunday, June 22, and continues until Saturday, June 28.
Daily graphics help explain the dangers and how to stay informed.
Florida leads US with number of lightning strikes per square mile
In AEM's report, Florida retained its rank as the top state for the number of lightning strikes per square mile: 76.
Top 10 states for lightning strikes in 2024
The 'deadly dozen': What were people doing when killed by lightning?
According to the National Weather Service and Lightning Safety Council, the 12 activities that contributed to the most lightning fatalities in the U.S. between 2006 and 2024 were:
Hear thunder? Lightning is within striking distance. Here's how to stay safe
"It is important to understand that there is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area," the Lightning Safety Council warned. "If you hear thunder, you are likely within striking distance of the storm." Lightning can strike more than 10 miles from a thunderstorm.
"While lightning fatalities have decreased over the past 30 years, lightning continues to be one of the top storm-related killers in the United States. In addition, lightning injures many more people than it kills and leaves some survivors with life-long health problems."
Many people wait too long to get to a safe place and then go back outside too soon, before the threat is over, the National Weather Service said. "When thunder roars, go indoors."
"If you can hear thunder, you are in danger; don't be fooled by blue skies. Lightning can strike more than 10 miles from a thunderstorm, well ahead of any rain, or well after the rain has ended," the National Lightning Safety Council said.
Lightning safety tips if you're outside
The National Lightning Safety Council offered this advice to stay safe if you're outside:
Lightning safety tips if you're inside
When lightning hits a building, it often follows wiring or plumbing to ground. To be safe, you don't want to be connected to either. You also want to avoid any metal that could provide lightning with a path from outside your home to inside, such as a doorknob, according to the the National Lightning Safety Council, which offered this advice to stay safe if you're inside:
What do you do if someone is struck by lightning?
Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for those who die after being hit by lightning.
Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch, the Lightning Safety Council said.
If possible, move the victim to a safer place. Lightning can strike twice.
If someone is struck by lightning, they may need immediate medical attention. Call 911 and monitor the victim. Start CPR if you're trained or use an Automated External Defibrillator, if needed.
Florida leads US in number of lightning fatalities in 2024
There were 12 lightning fatalities in 2024, according to the latest numbers released Dec. 17 by the National Weather Service and the Lightning Safety Council. Five lightning-strike deaths were in Florida:
Top Florida counties by number of lightning strikes per square mile
The top county in the U.S. when it came to flash density, or the number of lightning strikes per square mile, in 2024 was Limestone County in Texas, which had had average of 125 flashes per square mile. That number was significantly higher than any other county in the U.S., including Florida.
Top 10 Florida counties by flash density in 2024:
Bottom 10 Florida counties when it comes to lightning strikes per square mile
This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.