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General Weather/Earth Sciences Topics => Lightning => Topic started by: Farmtalk on November 16, 2011, 09:07:47 PM

Title: 2011 Lightning Deaths
Post by: Farmtalk on November 16, 2011, 09:07:47 PM
As of today, there have been a total of 26 lightning deaths in the US this year, down from 29 in 2010 (Note the whole year 2010), 34 in 2009, 28 in 2008, 45 in 2007, and 48 in 2006.

The last death of 2010 occurred on October 24th, 2010

Utah and Missouri have been the most tragic with 3 a piece (Surprisingly only 1 for Florida)

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/fatalities.htm (http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/fatalities.htm)
Title: Re: 2011 Lightning Deaths
Post by: neondesert on November 16, 2011, 11:10:47 PM
After looking at the location and activities of the victims, it's sad to see that most of these deaths may have been
avoided by following lightning safety guidelines.  :sad:
Title: Re: 2011 Lightning Deaths
Post by: Farmtalk on November 16, 2011, 11:13:00 PM
Yeah I never understood why people got struck unless they got stuck out in a storm...but even then there are guidelines
Title: Re: 2011 Lightning Deaths
Post by: hobobuster on November 24, 2011, 03:21:10 PM
That's really sad for the 11yo girl and 12 yo boy... But it's really their camp leaders fault for not getting them to proper shelters. They were too young to understand the danger there. RIP all the victims.
Title: Re: 2011 Lightning Deaths
Post by: Bushman on November 24, 2011, 05:59:00 PM
A 12 yr old is too young to understand the dangers of lightning?? What the..??
Title: Re: 2011 Lightning Deaths
Post by: Farmtalk on November 27, 2011, 02:26:39 PM
I think that maybe they were just misinformed or just did not think that a lightning bolt would hit them, it's 1 in 8000, right?

It's sad to hear this but it proves that lightning still isnt taken seriously in some situations. :-(
Title: Re: 2011 Lightning Deaths
Post by: MCook21 on December 27, 2011, 08:47:14 PM
its good to see the number of deaths coming down though... still cant imagine seeing or experiencing that =O
Title: Re: 2011 Lightning Deaths
Post by: Farmtalk on December 27, 2011, 09:24:40 PM
I think that the number of lightning deaths can still go down more, but there will always be a few people who wont adhere to the rules