Summer is almost over and with it the many outdoor activities in many places of the nation. It is during the summer months that the most lightning fatalities occur. So far, lightning deaths in the U.S. this year have been the most since 2019.

Lightning deaths this year are up to 18. Three of those have occurred in Florida. The most recent fatality was a middle school boy who was rowing in a lake with a 5-person crew team when lightning struck them. Boating is one of the leading activities that contribute to lightning deaths.

Florida is the state with the most lightning fatalities on average annually. Since 2006, there have been 82 lightning deaths, including the ones in 2022.

This year there were two lightning fatalities in Puerto Rico, three in Washington, D.C., and two in Georgia. California, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Alabama, Wyoming, Maryland, and Louisiana had one each.

Summer afternoon storms last long after summer in many southern states. But lightning is a threat anywhere, during any season, and should be taken seriously.

The best way to stay safe from lightning is to head to a safe place, under cover, away from doors and windows. If you hear thunder, you are close enough to get struck by lightning, even if it is not raining. Never take refuge under a tree.