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Threats & Emergencies  

Lightning

Lightning Home • Lightning Basics • Lightning Safety

Except for flash floods, lightning kills more people in the United States than any other storm-related phenomenon, including tornadoes and hurricanes.

Lightning killed 63 people in Virginia and injured at least 263 between 1959 and 2005, according to the National Weather Service.

Most of the deaths and injuries from lightning in Virginia occur in June, July and August. The percentage of lightning casualties during recreational activities continues to rise in Virginia and across the nation. Make sure that you understand the dangers of lightning and how to stay safe.

Explore the links in this section for more information about lightning, including:

• How to stay safe
• Basic lightning facts
• Virginia's lightning history
• Lightning statistics
• Thunderstorm/Lightning links
• Information for kids

Related Info

• Thunderstorm & Lightning History [in Newsroom & Archives]
• Lightning Statistics [in Newsroom & Archives]
• Thunderstorms [in Threats & Emergencies]