Lightning Strike Deaths

Lightning strike deaths have decreased by over 80% from 1968 to 2022! Thanks to lots of changes, but primarily because of improved weather forecasting. Alas, they still occur, as was just reported from Texas, but we can thank technological change for this benefit.

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Episode Links

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Lightning Strike Deaths

Graph of Lightning strike death counts

Data from CDC WONDER, extracted Jun 2023 - UCD codes either E907 (Lightning) in ICD-8, ICD-9, or X33 (Victim of Lightning) in ICD-10

Graph of Lightning strike death locations

By S.fever - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74366934

Story from Texas

6-year-old boy dies after battling lightning-related injuries in Texas

Grayson Boggs, 6, has passed away after being in a coma following the fatal lightning strike in May. His father was pronounced dead at the scene.

By Allison Finch, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Jun 16, 2023 3:09 PM EDT | Updated Jun 16, 2023 3:30 PM EDT

Lightning Safety Sites

CDC: Lightning Safety Tips

CDC: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

NOAA: Lightning Safety

National Weather Service: Lightning Safety Tips and Resources

National Lightning Safety Council

Spreadsheet

Lightning Strike Deaths 1968 2022 Provisional 2023 June 17

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