Why Are Lightning Deaths Declining?

photo: civicsolar.com

(lifeslittlemysteries.com) An 11-year-old Florida boy died yesterday (Oct. 7) after being struck by a bolt of lightning on his way to football practice on Wednesday (Oct. 4). His manner of death is perhaps all the more tragic for how unusual it's becoming in America.

Jesse Watlington, of Fort Myers, is the fifth person to die from a lightning strike in Florida this year, and he was hit only two days after another Floridian, Falk Weltzien, 39, of St. Augustine, was knocked unconscious by a bolt while kiteboarding with his son. Weltzien survived the ordeal with no major injuries, according to ABC News.

Despite the apparent surge in news reports of people being struck by lightning, deaths from lightning strikes so far in 2012 appear to be continuing a steady, decades-long slide.

As usual, Florida, America's lightning capital, is leading the nation in lightning deaths, but the current nationwide total of 28 is still on track to make 2012 one of the safest years on record and continue the downward trend of yearly lightning deaths that stretches back to at least 1940, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data.  Read full story...

Also see:

How Ligntning Works - Howstuffworks.com - Lightning is one of the most beautiful displays in nature. It is also one of the most deadly natural phenomena known to man. With bolt temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun and shockwaves beaming out in all directions, lightning is a lesson in physical science and humility....