Lightning, on average, causes 93 deaths and 300 injuries each year. In Texas alone, 34 people have been killed by lightning during the last nine years. 184 injuries and nearly 23 million dollars (est.) in damages can also be attributed to Texas lightning since the beginning of 1995.
So if lightning causes so much death and destruction, why is it called the underrated killer?
Because often we fail to follow safety precautions, especially when we are caught outdoors, where most lightning deaths and injuries occur. Did you know that if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning?
Protect yourself and others from the underrated killer by reading more of our did-you-knows, myths versus facts, and lightning safety tips.
|
Texas Lightning Stats
|
Year
|
Killed |
Injured |
Damage |
2004 |
3 |
58 |
.74M |
2003 |
4 |
5 |
3.6M |
2002 |
2 |
5 |
.97M |
2001 |
1 |
6 |
1.4M |
2000 |
5 |
19 |
.20M |
1999 |
3 |
11 |
2.5M |
1998 |
2 |
11 |
.88M |
1997 |
3 |
34 |
6.4M |
1996 |
6 |
7 |
4.4M |
1995 |
5 |
28 |
1.7M |
How To Estimate Lightning Distance
(miles from strike)
|
Count the seconds between the lightning and the thunder, then divide by 5.
|
|