Florida Sees Big Jump in Lightning Activity and Six Fatalities in 2026

# What happened Florida experienced a sharp rise in lightning strikes in 2026 compared with recent averages. National and private lightning-tracking data show the state has had a heavier-than-normal season, and authorities reported multiple fatal strikes.

# How much higher

• Overall lightning activity in Florida is up 28% compared with the 10-year average, according to Chris Vagasky, a lightning data and safety specialist with the National Lightning Safety Council as quoted in the Washington Post.

• Month-by-month shifts in 2026: May and June were below average, July rose 12% above average, August was 58% above average, and the first half of September showed 212% more strikes than normal. Vagasky described the season as "supercharged."

# Fatalities and where they happened Florida recorded six lightning deaths in 2026 through the date of reporting. The cases listed by the National Lightning Safety Council are:

• May 3: An 18-year-old man struck while kayaking on a Santa Rosa County river.
• July 3: A 51-year-old man struck while in the water at Fort Myers Beach.

• Aug. 29: A 41-year-old man struck while jet skiing near Fort De Soto in St. Petersburg.
• Sept. 8: A 20-year-old man struck near downtown Celebration.

The council's decade tally (2016–2025) showed Florida had 51 lightning deaths, compared with 21 for Texas and three for Oklahoma.

# Why this matters locally Florida already records among the nation's highest lightning counts and historically more lightning deaths than other states. A season with substantially higher strike counts increases the probability of injuries and fatalities, particularly where people are outdoors near water, open spaces or metal objects.

# Practical safety actions (CDC guidance)

• Go indoors immediately if you hear thunder or see lightning. Don't wait.

• Once inside, avoid contact with water (bathing, showering, washing dishes) and don't touch electronic equipment connected to power. Avoid corded phones, windows, doors, porches and concrete structures containing metal.
• Bring pets inside and remove metal collars, leashes or harnesses that could conduct electricity.

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