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Florida may have lost its title as the lightning capital of the United States, but it still led the nation in lightning-related fatalities in 2025.
TAMPA, Fla. — Once known as the lightning capital, Florida now takes a backseat, no longer holding the top spot in the U.S. for lightning strikes.
According to a recent report by Advanced Environment Monitoring (AEM), Florida has slipped to second place in terms of lightning density across the country.
Oklahoma has claimed the number one position, recording an impressive 73 lightning flashes per square mile. Experts attribute this change to an overall increase in lightning activity throughout the Great Plains region.
“Oklahoma’s ascent in our lightning rankings marks a notable change in weather patterns for 2025 compared to previous years,” stated Dr. Elizabeth DiGangi, a lightning scientist at AEM. “With ENTLN’s ability to capture lightning activity with unparalleled coverage and accuracy, we can observe evolving lightning patterns, identifying the Great Plains as an increasingly active area for severe storms.”
AEM’s Earth Networks Total Lightning Network detected nearly 430 million lightning pulses within 88.4 million lightning flashes across the U.S. in 2025. That’s a 9.8% increase from the previous year.
Despite not being the lightning capital of the U.S. anymore, Florida did lead the number of lightning deaths in 2025, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.
Two deaths took place in September in Highlands County, with the other two taking place during June in Gulf County and New Smyrna Beach.
Why Florida was considered the lightning capital for so long
In Florida, lightning is a common and potentially deadly phenomenon. For comparison, the surface temperature of the sun is approximately 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas a lightning bolt can reach up to 50,000 degrees.
Statistics show that the most dangerous outdoor activity during thunderstorms is fishing, accounting for 38% of lightning-related deaths among outdoor activities. Additionally, 80% of lightning strikes affect men compared to women.
Safety tips during a lightning storm
If you spot lightning or hear thunder, it’s essential to take immediate action:
Seek Shelter Indoors: The safest place to be during a lightning storm is inside a sturdy building.
Get Inside a Vehicle: If you can’t find a building, a car is a safe alternative. The metal frame of a vehicle can act as a Faraday cage, directing the electrical charge around the passengers and safely to the ground.
If you’re in a car when a thunderstorm rolls overhead, avoid contact with any conducting paths that lead to the outside of the vehicle. That includes metal surfaces, ignition and portable electronic devices plugged in for charging.
Avoid Trees: Never stand under a tree during a lightning storm. Trees can conduct lightning, and if struck, the charge can travel through the tree and potentially injure anyone standing nearby.
Stay Away from Water: Avoid bathing or swimming. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, and being in or near it during a storm increases the risk of being struck.
Avoid using electronic devices: Voltage can enter a home through phone lines, electrical wires and cables. Any devices that use electricity, like computers, televisions and refrigerators, are susceptible to lightning strikes. Surge protectors do little to protect devices or the person using them.
It’s also smart to avoid plumbing. Metal plumbing and water are very good conductors of electricity. It’s advised to not wash dishes, do laundry or take a shower or bath during a thunderstorm.
And let’s address two debated lightning topics. Lightning can strike the same place twice. Also, a lightning victim is not electrified. The human body does not store electricity. If you touch them, you won’t be electrocuted. Please immediately give a lightning victim first aid.
Lee Southwick contributed to this story.
