states where you’re most likely to be struck by lightning
Of all severe weather events in the United States, the most obvious risks to life and property are often associated with hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. But across the country, thunderstorms occur with far greater regularity, and the dangers these storms present can be greatly underestimated. Thunderstorms inevitably bring lightning, a potentially fatal hazard that can arrive before other elements of the storm and one that is typically the last to leave.
A single lightning bolt can heat the surrounding air to a temperature of 50,000°F, five times hotter than the surface of the sun, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. When lightning strikes a tree, it instantly vaporizes the water contacts, often resulting in an explosion. Not surprisingly, when a human is struck by lightning, the consequences can be fatal.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that lightning strikes make surface contact approximately 40 million times per year in the United States. Only a small fraction of these lightning bolts strike humans, however. Between 2006 and 2021, 444 people were killed by lightning in the United States, and according to the CDC, the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are less than one in a million.
At an individual level, however, the odds can vary greatly. Those who spend time outdoors, for example, are at greater risk, as nearly two-thirds of lightning fatalities impact people engaging in certain activities, such as fishing, boating, playing sports, or visiting the beach. Those in certain professions, including farming and ranching, face greater risk exposure as well. Geography also appears to play a role, as in certain parts of the country, the odds of being struck by lightning are far higher than average.
Using data from the National Weather Service, Climate Crisis 247 identified the states where you are most likely to be struck by lightning. States are ranked on the population-adjusted number of injuries and fatalities directly caused by lightning strikes between 2016 and 2025. Calculations were made using population data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey. Only the 10 states with the highest lightning strike rate over the last decade were considered. For each state on this list, we also identified the county or county equivalent with the highest lightning strike rate.
Among the 10 states on this list, the lightning strike rates range from 4.5 for every 1 million people, up to 11.1 per million. In each of these states, the total number of people struck by lightning since 2016 ranges from fewer than five to more than 200. Encouragingly, most Americans who are struck by lightning survive the experience, as only about 21% of the 391 recorded lightning strikes in these states over the last 10 years were fatal.
10. Colorado
- Lightning strike rate, 2016-2025: 4.5 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning, 2016-2025: 27 (20 injuries, 7 fatalities)
- Place in state with highest rate of lightning strikes: Dolores County
- Lightning strike rate in Dolores County, 2016-2025: 822.4 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning in Dolores County, 2016-2025: 2 (1 injury, 1 fatality)
9. Louisiana
- Lightning strike rate, 2016-2025: 4.6 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning, 2016-2025: 21 (16 injuries, 5 fatalities)
- Place in state with highest rate of lightning strikes: Claiborne Parish
- Lightning strike rate in Claiborne Parish, 2016-2025: 722.9 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning in Claiborne Parish, 2016-2025: 10 (10 injuries, 0 fatalities)
8. Montana
- Lightning strike rate, 2016-2025: 5.3 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning, 2016-2025: 6 (5 injuries, 1 fatality)
- Place in state with highest rate of lightning strikes: Dawson County
- Lightning strike rate in Dawson County, 2016-2025: 113.3 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning in Dawson County, 2016-2025: 1 (0 injuries, 1 fatality)
7. Maine
- Lightning strike rate, 2016-2025: 5.7 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning, 2016-2025: 8 (8 injuries, 0 fatalities)
- Place in state with highest rate of lightning strikes: Hancock County
- Lightning strike rate in Hancock County, 2016-2025: 88.6 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning in Hancock County, 2016-2025: 5 (5 injuries, 0 fatalities)
6. Mississippi
- Lightning strike rate, 2016-2025: 6.1 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning, 2016-2025: 18 (14 injuries, 4 fatalities)
- Place in state with highest rate of lightning strikes: Stone County
- Lightning strike rate in Stone County, 2016-2025: 370.5 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning in Stone County, 2016-2025: 7 (7 injuries, 0 fatalities)
5. North Dakota
- Lightning strike rate, 2016-2025: 6.3 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning, 2016-2025: 5 (4 injuries, 1 fatality)
- Place in state with highest rate of lightning strikes: Pembina County
- Lightning strike rate in Pembina County, 2016-2025: 148.7 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning in Pembina County, 2016-2025: 1 (1 injury, 0 fatalities)
4. Wyoming
- Lightning strike rate, 2016-2025: 6.8 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning, 2016-2025: 4 (3 injuries, 1 fatality)
- Place in state with highest rate of lightning strikes: Teton County
- Lightning strike rate in Teton County, 2016-2025: 128.2 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning in Teton County, 2016-2025: 3 (2 injuries, 1 fatality)
3. Alabama
- Lightning strike rate, 2016-2025: 7.2 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning, 2016-2025: 37 (26 injuries, 11 fatalities)
- Place in state with highest rate of lightning strikes: Bibb County
- Lightning strike rate in Bibb County, 2016-2025: 45.2 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning in Bibb County, 2016-2025: 1 (1 injury, 0 fatalities)
2. Florida
- Lightning strike rate, 2016-2025: 8.7 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning, 2016-2025: 204 (154 injuries, 50 fatalities)
- Place in state with highest rate of lightning strikes: Hamilton County
- Lightning strike rate in Hamilton County, 2016-2025: 367.2 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning in Hamilton County, 2016-2025: 5 (4 injuries, 1 fatality)
1. South Carolina
- Lightning strike rate, 2016-2025: 11.1 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning, 2016-2025: 61 (59 injuries, 2 fatalities)
- Place in state with highest rate of lightning strikes: Georgetown County
- Lightning strike rate in Georgetown County, 2016-2025: 200.6 people per million
- Total number of people struck by lightning in Georgetown County, 2016-2025: 13 (12 injuries, 1 fatality)
