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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · 4d

Swiftie or not, we know All Too Well dancing through lightning strikes is a bad idea. Lightning kills thousands globally each year.

But here’s how to stay safe. …Ready For It?

All You Had To Do Was Stay inside or get in your Getaway Car to avoid its Electric Touch.

Dr. Samantha Montano @samlmontano.bsky.social · 4d

My hottake is that the new Taylor Swift album is good! No skips, for me. Having a fun pop album to enjoy in the midst of chaos and cruelty is a gift.

My disasterologist take is that I would encourage you all not to dance through lightning. That is actually very dangerous.

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Reposted by National Lightning Safety Council

Chris Vagasky @coweatherman.bsky.social · 11d

Coincidentally, I was on Fox 6 in Milwaukee yesterday to talk a bit about lightning safety. Jump to about 10:35 to see it.

www.youtube.com/live/AgBppZs...

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · 11d

Being struck by lightning isn’t a minor thing. We shouldn’t be making light of safety measures.

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · 11d

We estimate than 10 people are impacted when someone is struck by lightning (friends, relatives, coworkers).

For the ~200 people who are struck each year in the U.S., that means 2,000 more people are impacted in some way - from losing a loved one or having to care for them long term.

National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · 11d

“If it hits you, it’s just not your day.”

90% of people struck by lightning survive but many have lifelong injuries. We still see around 20 deaths from lightning every year in the U.S.

We’ve seen 5 deaths in the U.S. in September alone.

Awful Announcing @awfulannouncing.bsky.social · 11d

Dave Portnoy sounds off about lightning delays in college football.

"Lightning, if it hits you, it's just not your day."

Brady Quinn: "I think Dave should get struck by lightning first before he starts (ranting)..." 🏈⚡️📺🎙️ #CFB

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · 11d

“If it hits you, it’s just not your day.”

90% of people struck by lightning survive but many have lifelong injuries. We still see around 20 deaths from lightning every year in the U.S.

We’ve seen 5 deaths in the U.S. in September alone.

Awful Announcing @awfulannouncing.bsky.social · 11d

Dave Portnoy sounds off about lightning delays in college football.

"Lightning, if it hits you, it's just not your day."

Brady Quinn: "I think Dave should get struck by lightning first before he starts (ranting)..." 🏈⚡️📺🎙️ #CFB

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · 11d

The U.S. used to have 400-500 lightning fatalities a year. Globally, we see 24,000 fatalities a year from lightning - many of them occurring at sporting events.

Really shameful to see this on Big Noon Kickoff.

The Smoking Musket @smokingmusket.bsky.social · 11d

can't even be struck by lightning and killed because of woke

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · 12d

Two hunters and their dogs in Florida were killed by lightning on Monday September 22. These are now 3 fatalities in Florida this year.

Four hunters have died this month due to lightning strikes, and there are now 19 lightning fatalities in the U.S. for 2025.

www.wfla.com/news/highlan...

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Wisconet @wisconet.bsky.social · 12d

A Wisconsin DNR forester was struck and killed by lightning on Monday, September 22.

This is the first WI fatality since 2021 and the 11th since 2006.

Wisconet manager @coweatherman.bsky.social is a member of @lightningsafety.bsky.social and available to speak.

www.wisn.com/article/48-y...

48-year-old Plymouth man, DNR employee struck by lightning, dies

The Washington County Sheriff's Office said he was found dead in a wooded area in the town of Kewaskum.

www.wisn.com

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · 15d

These are the 15th and 16th lightning fatalities in the United States in 2025.

The Colorado Sun ☀️ @coloradosun.com · 16d

Elk hunters found dead in southern Colorado were struck by lightning

Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, experienced outdoorsmen, were caught in a storm Sept. 12, according to Bridget Murphy, Porter’s financée

coloradosun.com

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · 24d

We’ve learned of another fishing-related lightning fatality - this one occurring in Puerto Rico on August 30.

This is the 5th fishing-related and 14th overall fatality of 2025.

www.primerahora.com/noticias/pue...

Map of the U.S. showing the number of 2025 lightning fatalities by state.

Infographic showing the number and gender of lightning fatalities by year.

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Reposted by National Lightning Safety Council

Chris Vagasky @coweatherman.bsky.social · Sep 5

South Philly is no stranger to lightning in September.

Between 2016 and 2024, 7,601 lightning events were detected within 15 km (9.3 miles) of The Linc during the month of September. Data from NLDN.

Applauding the NFL for getting it right and delaying the game last night. @minakimes.bsky.social

Map showing the locations of 7,601 lightning events detected within 15 km of Lincoln Financial Field during Septembers between 2016 and 2024.

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Reposted by National Lightning Safety Council

Wisconet @wisconet.bsky.social · Aug 9

We've received a report of a lightning strike victim on or near the Ice Age Trail in Palmyra.

There was a lot of lightning in the area.

When you have outdoor plans, make sure you know the forecast. Finish your outdoor activities before thunderstorms develop.

When thunder roars, go indoors!

Lightning detected near Palmyra between 4 and 5 pm.

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · Jul 30

A 32-year-old woman who was on Lake Texoma this weekend has died after being struck by lightning.

This is the 13th known fatality of 2025, matching last year's total.

Being on or near the water is extremely dangerous during thunderstorms, so when thunder roars, go indoors!

Map showing the states with lightning fatalities in 2025.

Pictogram showing the numbers of men and women who have been killed by lightning since 2015.

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Reposted by National Lightning Safety Council

Chris Vagasky @coweatherman.bsky.social · Jul 28

Don't call these "Bolts from the Blue".

If you're under the charged anvil region of a thunderstorm, you're in the danger zone - even if it's not raining!

When thunder roars, go indoors!

Annotated satellite image showing how electric charge in a thunderstorm isn't only in the core of a thunderstorm.

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Reposted by National Lightning Safety Council

Chris Vagasky @coweatherman.bsky.social · Jul 27

I wrote a paper published in Weather, Climate, and Society about lightning near @mlb.com games.

1 in 14 games has lightning within a dangerous range.

I propose a solution that is allowable through the MLB Rulebook.

⚡️🧪

journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...

Long term gains to lightning safety at MLB games can be achieved using existing frameworks and statements, like those from the AMS, NWS LST, and NATA Position Statement on Lightning Safety for Athletics and Recreation. Under rules 4.03(e) and 4.04(a) of the MLB rulebook, lightning safety plans filed with the league office can take the responsibility of lightning delays from the umpire-in-chief and give it to individual teams. Designated weather watchers or on-site meteorologists can then monitor for approaching lightning and other weather hazards and implement safety procedures before lightning is at an unsafe distance from the stadium.

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Chris Vagasky @coweatherman.bsky.social · Jul 26

There needs to be a weather watcher at @mlb.com games. Umpires cannot be trusted to make the decision.

Lightning within 8 miles means everybody on the field is in danger.

It made for an unusual stretch of baseball at Camden Yards, with fans taking shelter for their own safety but players still on the field. The reason was that those two decisions are made by different people.
The Orioles decided to clear fans from their seats, but the umpiring crew determines whether the game should continue.
"They did clear the stands unbeknownst to me," crew chief Bill Miller said after Colorado's 6-5 win.
"We are concerned about lightning, but the crew did not see any lightning in the area. We saw it from afar, but we didn't think at any time anybody on the field was in danger."

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Chris Vagasky @coweatherman.bsky.social · Jul 26

200+ lightning events within 8 miles of Camden Yards in the last 35 minutes.

If the Orioles and @mlb.com cared about the safety of their players, umpires, and fans, they'd require all teams have #LightningSafety plans in place.

Just because it's dry doesn't mean it's safe!

@avawbal.bsky.social

Tweets showing Baltimore Orioles playing baseball during thunderstorm.

Map showing 200+ lightning events in 45 minutes near Camden Yards.

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · Jul 25

That could help reduce the possibility, but won’t completely eliminate the risk.

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · Jul 25

People are injured by lightning every year when they are in their homes because they are on devices plugged into the wall.

weather.com/news/trendin...

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · Jul 22

People are injured by lightning every year when they are in their homes because they are on devices plugged into the wall.

Unplug your laptops and cell phones before using them during a thunderstorm!

www.cbs42.com/regional/lou...

www.cbs42.com

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Reposted by National Lightning Safety Council

Chris Vagasky @coweatherman.bsky.social · Jul 17

I will be joining Fox Weather in about 10 minutes to chat lightning safety.

Very important conversation with all the lightning incidents we’re seeing lately.

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · Jul 17

Another lightning mass casualty event this year.

This fatality brings us to 12 for the year and we’re on pace for an above average number of fatalities.

If you have outdoor plans, you need to keep lightning safety in mind.

Go inside when you hear thunder or see lightning!

Anthony Masiello @antmasiello.bsky.social · Jul 17

newjersey.news12.com/police-1-kil... @lightningsafety.bsky.social

Police: 1 killed, 13 injured after lightning strike at Jackson Township archery range

Police say that it happened just before 7:15 p.m. Wednesday at the archery range, located on Perrineville Road.

newjersey.news12.com

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · Jul 15

We'd been running below average for lightning fatalities until mid-June but we've seen a significant increase in lightning incidents.

We saw something similar in 2016, when we had 12 fatalities through July 10 followed by 24 more through the end of August.

When thunder roars, go indoors!

Chart showing the trends of lightning fatalities by day between 2015 and 2025.

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · Jul 15

We're sorry to hear that Kevin!

We estimate that each lightning death significantly impacts at least 10 close family members or friends.

Since 2006, we've now recorded more than 500 fatalities, which means there are at least 5,000 people who have been significantly impacted.

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National Lightning Safety Council @lightningsafety.bsky.social · Jul 15

We'd been running below average for lightning fatalities until mid-June but we've seen a significant increase in lightning incidents.

We saw something similar in 2016, when we had 12 fatalities through July 10 followed by 24 more through the end of August.

When thunder roars, go indoors!

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