If You Live in These States, You're More Likely to Get Struck by Lightning
Lightning strikes every state, but one state in particular has been dubbed the U.S. "lightning capital."
![lightning striking hills](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/07/lightning-striking-hills.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
Summer is heating up across the U.S., with the rising temperatures frequently bringing summer storms along for the ride. While the warmer weather can increase the risk of everything from hurricanes to landslides in certain parts of the country, there's one summer phenomenon that affects all 50 states, and have deadly consequences: lightning. According to the National Lightning Safety Council, approximately 70 percent of lightning fatalities take place in June, July, and August, with fishing, beach activities, camping, boating, and yard work associated with the greatest number of lightning-related deaths between 2006 and 2019.
Though thunderstorms are common across the U.S., certain states have significantly higher rates of lightning strikes than others. According to a 2020 report published by the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network, in 2019, Texas had 16,032,609 in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, the highest number of any state in the country, with Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Florida, Missouri, South Dakota, Iowa, Colorado, and New Mexico rounding out the top 10.
However, there's one state in particular that has been dubbed the "lightning capital" of the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Florida. The CDC reports that the Sunshine State has seen a staggering 2,000 lightning injuries in the past 50 years—more than any other state—as well as over 5.2 million cloud-to-cloud or cloud-to-ground strikes hitting the state in 2019 alone.
That said, with an estimated 90 percent of lightning strike victims surviving their injuries, the states with the most lightning strikes and the most lightning fatalities are not always one and the same. If you want to gauge your risk, read on to discover which U.S. states and territories have the highest number of fatal lightning strikes, according to data from the Lightning Safety Council.
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52
Wyoming
![A view of Casper, Wyoming with snowy mountains in the background](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/02/downtown-casper-wyoming-covid-cases-rising.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
51
Washington
![cityscape photo of a church, buildings, and trees in Spokane, Washington](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/spokane-washington.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
50
Rhode Island
![newport is a city in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about 30 miles south of Providence. Newport, also known as The City by the Sea, has been one of America's premier vacation destinations. Newport has more historic structures from the eighteenth century than any other city in America.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/newport-rhode-island.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
49
New Hampshire
![Manchester is the largest city in the state of New Hampshire and the largest city in northern New England. Manchester is known for its industrial heritage, riverside mills, affordability, and arts & cultural destination.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/new-hampshire-state.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
48
Nevada
![Reno at sunrise](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/nevada-face-mask-required.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
47
Nebraska
![lincoln nebraska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/shutterstock_1025675146.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
46
Maryland
![city skyline and Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland in the afternoon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Annapolis-Maryland.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
45
Maine
![Aerial view of Bar Harbor Maine](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/bar-harbor-maine.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
44
Hawaii
![aerial view of waikiki beach honolulu hawaii](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/waikiki-beach-hawaii.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
43
Washington D.C.
![Washington, D.C.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/dc.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
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42
Delaware
![downtown wilmington delaware](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_218419345.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
41
Alaska
![An aerial view of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel from Mount Roberts.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/alaska-wildfires.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
40
Idaho
![downtown boise idaho](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_351001115.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
39
Connecticut
![hartford connecticut skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_159469562.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 0
38
West Virginia
![charleston west virginia skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_746637304.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 1
37
Vermont
![Beautiful property off of Shelburne Road in Shelburne Vermont](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/shelburne-vermont.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 1
36
Puerto Rico
![colorful apartment houses in san juan puerto rico](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/san-juan-puerto-rico-1.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 1
35
Oregon
![cityscape photo of Eugene, Oregon at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Eugene-Oregon.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 1
34
Oklahoma
![cityscape photo of Tulsa, Oklahoma at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/tulsa-oklahoma-1.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 1
33
North Dakota
![A view of buildings in Grand Forks, North Dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/grand-forks-north-dakota-coronavirus-surge.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 1
32
Virginia
![cityscape photo of buildings next to and boats on a lake in Norfolk, Virginia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/norfolk-virginia.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 2
31
South Dakota
![cityscape photo of downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/sioux-falls-south-dakota.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 2
30
Montana
![cityscape photo of Missoula, Montana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/missoula-montana.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 2
29
Minnesota
![cityscape photo of river, bridge, and buildings in St. Paul, Minnesota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/st-paul-minnesota-1.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 2
28
Massachusetts
![cambridge massachusetts](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/cambridge-massachusetts.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 2
27
Iowa
![The skyline of Cedar Rapids, Iowa at night with a view of a bridge.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/cedar-rapids-iowa-at-night-coronavirus-bars-closed.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 2
26
New Mexico
![cityscape photo of Santa Fe, New Mexico at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Santa-Fe-New-Mexico.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 3
25
Kansas
![cityscape photos of Wichita, Kansas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/wichita-kansas.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 3
24
Indiana
![Landscape photo of Brown County State Park, Indiana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/brown-county-state-park-indiana.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 3
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23
Tennessee
![city skyline and river in Nashville, Tennessee](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/nashville-tennessee.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 4
22
Kentucky
![An aerial view of downtown Lexington, Kentucky on a clear day](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/downtown-lexington-kentucky-coronavirus.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 4
21
Illinois
![main street galena illinois](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/main-street-galena-illinois.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 4
20
Wisconsin
![downtown racine, WI](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/racine-wisconsin.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 5
19
South Carolina
![charleston south carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_395749504.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 5
18
New Jersey
![The skyline of Newark, New Jersey as shot from the Passaic River with a rail bridge on the left of the frame](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/newark-new-jersey-skyline-travel-advisory-covid.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 5
17
Mississippi
![city skyline and Mississippi Stat Capitol Building in Jackson, Mississippi](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/jackson-mississippi.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 5
16
Michigan
![ann arbor michigan](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/ann-arbor-michigan.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 5
15
California
![cityscape photo of downtown Fresno, California at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/fresno-california.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 5
14
Utah
![aerial view of logan utah](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/logan-utah.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 6
13
Ohio
![cityscape photo of Roebling Suspension Bridge in and skyline of Cincinnati, Ohio](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/cincinnati-ohio.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 6
12
New York
![waterfall and autumn trees at Taughannock Falls State Park in Ithaca, New York](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/ithaca-new-york.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 6
11
Arkansas
![Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA town skyline from above at dawn.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/05/hot-springs-arkansas.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 6
10
Georgia
![cityscape photo of Atlanta, Georgia at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/atlanta-georgia.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 7
9
Louisiana
![baton rouge louisiana from above](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1161171376.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 8
8
Pennsylvania
![harrisburg pennsylvania](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_182198225.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 9
7
Missouri
![St. Louis, Missouri, USA downtown skyline from above.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/st-louis-missouri.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 10
6
Colorado
![tall beige rocks and green trees at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/colorado-springs-colorado.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 10
5
North Carolina
![city skyline of Greensboro, North Carolin](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/greensboro-north-carolina-1.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 12
4
Arizona
![landscape photo of Phoenix, Arizona at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/phoenix-arizona-2.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 12
3
Alabama
![The skyline of Mobile, Alabama at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/05/mobile-alabama-skyline-covid-cases-rising.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 14
2
Texas
![cityscape photo of downtown Plano, Texas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/plano-texas.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 22
1
Florida
![The skyline of Jacksonville, Florida at dusk.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/jacksonville-florida-skyline-governors-refuse-lockdown-covid.jpg)
Number of lightning deaths from 2011-2020: 49
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