Alabama Leads the Nation in Lightning Deaths in 2015
According to federal weather officials, Alabama has had more lightning deaths so far in 2015 than any other state.
Statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) show that Alabama has recorded four lightning deaths, compared to three in Florida. North Carolina, Iowa and Arizona have each had two so far this year.
Overall, there have been 21 lightning deaths nationwide so far this year.
Three of the four deaths in Alabama have been in our area. On June 23, Miguel Belnar and Sharon Fletcher were killed in Opp while they were trying to cover chickens near a tree outside a home.
On July 5, 12-year-old Megan Nickell was killed at Fort Morgan while playing volleyball. That location is on the Alabama coast.
On July 23, a 73-year-old woman in Autauga County was killed while picking blueberries under a tree near a home.
Our Alabama News Network meteorologists want to remind you to head inside or to another safe place when storms threaten. They say if you can hear thunder, you are at risk of being struck by lightning.
