~ National Lightning Safety Institute ~

Section 3.1

The following maps and tables show state-by-state lightning deaths from 1990 to 2003 based on Storm Data compiled by Ronald L. Holle, Meteorologist/Consultant at Vaisala Inc.  He notes there is a continuing shift to the south and west in death rates caused by lightning.

Number of Lightning Deaths in the United States, 1990-2003

Number of Lightning Deaths in the
United States, 1990 to 2003

Note: One death each occurred in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1991.

Lightning Deaths in the United States Weighted by Population, 1990 to 2003

Lightning Deaths in the United States
Weighted by Population, 1990 to 2003

The lightning fatality data were collected by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). They come from monthly and annual summaries compiled by the National Weather Service and published in monthly issues of Storm Data.

Statistics for the earlier period from 1959 to 1994 are included in the following article: Curran, E.B., R.L. Holle, and R.E. López, "Lightning casualties and damages in the United States from 1959 to 1994," Journal of Climate, 13, 3448-3453, 2000. The same information is also available at the National Severe Storms Laboratory Web site: Lightning Fatalities, Injuries, And Damage Reports In The United States From 1959-1994 - NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS SR-193, Oct 1997.