In 2025, there were 21 reported deaths from lightning across the country with two already reported this year. As lightning safety awareness week kicks off, meteorologist Chris Vagasky spoke to FOX Weather about how to stay safe during severe storms.
MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Tragedy has struck in a largely populated area in New Jersey after a lightning strike reportedly struck and killed a man while outdoors on Tuesday.
According to the National Lightning Safety Council, a 32-year-old male was struck by lightning while out in a field amidst severe weather conditions.
This comes just a day after the end of Lightning Safety Awareness Week, which began in 2001 to bring attention to the lesser-known killer, as lightning deaths have dropped from 55 per year to about 20.
FILE – Lightning strikes the sky.
(JACK GUEZ / AFP / Getty Images)
About 37 million lightning strikes hit the ground in the U.S. each year, but the odds of being struck are less than one in a million and almost 90% of victims survive, according to the CDC.
“States with the highest numbers of lightning-related injuries and deaths include Florida, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, Arizona, Missouri, and Pennsylvania,” said the CDC.
FILE – A lightning bolt strikes the ground in this 2015 image.
(Brandon Morgan/Unsplash)
Unfortunately, this is the eighth lightning death so far in 2026, with two occurring in Florida, as more than 2,000 injuries have been reported in the Sunshine State over the last 50 years.
FAUSTO BECOMES POST-TROPICAL BUT STILL THREATENS HAWAII WITH DANGEROUS SURF AND POSSIBLE RAIN
Police have yet to release further information about the victim.
