The Counties With Most Frequent Lightning Activity
https://climatecrisis247.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2693284-150x150.jpegIn a 2014 paper, researchers predicted that every 1°C increase in global temperature will result in a subsequent 12% increase in the prevalence of lightning activity. Warm, convective thunderstorms have indeed become more common with climate change in recent years, resulting in more frequent, more severe lightning events that damage infrastructure and put human lives at risk.
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Lightning activity varies widely throughout the United States, with some counties experiencing hundreds of times more severe lightning events than others. Lightning density is highest in states like Florida and Louisiana, where warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico creates strong convection currents that fuel frequent thunderstorms. A look at NOAA data reveals the counties with the highest lightning density.
To determine the counties with the most lightning, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on lightning density from the FEMA National Risk Index. Counties were ranked based on the number of recorded cloud-to-ground lightning strikes occurring per year from 1991 to 2012. Cloud-to-ground lightning observations are from the NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, and only include lightning strikes with measurable damage impacts. Supplemental data on the expected annual loss to building value that results from lightning are also from the FEMA NRI.
25. Osceola County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 158.8 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $210,446
- County seat: Kissimmee
24. Brevard County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 159.3 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $342,477
- County seat: Titusville
23. Jefferson Parish, LA
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 164.4 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $45,410
- County seat: Gretna
22. Citrus County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 166.4 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $67,530
- County seat: Inverness
21. Broward County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 167.0 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $120,172
- County seat: Fort Lauderdale
20. Plaquemines Parish, LA
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 170.0 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $5,710
- County seat: Pointe à la Hache
19. Hernando County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 172.9 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $80,717
- County seat: Brooksville
18. Harrison County, MS
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 173.7 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $36,099
- County seat: Biloxi
17. Martin County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 174.1 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $40,253
- County seat: Stuart
16. Jackson County, MS
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 174.6 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $29,835
- County seat: Pascagoula
15. Polk County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 175.0 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $332,402
- County seat: Bartow
14. Charlotte County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 178.2 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $76,492
- County seat: Punta Gorda
13. St. Mary Parish, LA
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 179.0 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $53,492
- County seat: Franklin
12. Lee County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 179.1 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $250,891
- County seat: Fort Myers
11. Monroe County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 180.7 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $3,023
- County seat: Key West
10. Volusia County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 181.2 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $142,091
- County seat: DeLand
9. Manatee County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 181.3 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $281,070
- County seat: Bradenton
8. Palm Beach County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 182.6 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $734,062
- County seat: West Palm Beach
7. Pasco County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 184.6 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $90,293
- County seat: Dade City
6. Orange County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 199.2 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $437,899
- County seat: Orlando
5. St. John the Baptist Parish, LA
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 200.0 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $34,591
- County seat: Edgard
4. Seminole County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 215.5 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $186,369
- County seat: Sanford
3. Hillsborough County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 217.0 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $526,119
- County seat: Tampa
2. Pinellas County, FL
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 244.3 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $433,871
- County seat: Clearwater
1. St. Bernard Parish, LA
- Severe cloud-to-ground lightning strike frequency: 327.9 per year
- Annual property damage due to lightning: $2,674
- County seat: Chalmette
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