The Worst Lightning Strikes Recorded
At Lightning Master Corporation, protecting your employees and assets from lightning is our main goal. After working in the lightning protection business for over 30 years, we have learned a lot about how to provide the best protection from the worst lightning strikes. We have also kept records on some of the worst lightning strikes ever recorded. The following are some of the most well-known lightning strikes on record.
Brescia, Italy
One of the oldest and worst lightning strikes ever recorded happened in the town of Brescia, Italy, in 1769. A church was being used as a battery to store approximately 100 tons of gunpowder. The church took a direct hit of lightning and all the gunpowder eventually caught on fire and exploded. After all the dust settled, nearly a sixth of the city was destroyed and killed nearly 3,000 people. In terms of damage and destruction, the Brescia incident is still considered one of the worst lightning strikes in history.
Yellowstone Fires
During the summer of 1988, Yellowstone National Park experienced a severe drought and high winds. One day, a lightning storm passed through the park and struck trees and plants, setting them ablaze. In all, nearly 42 of the 51 fires were caused directly by lightning strikes, burning approximately 750,000 acres. Combined with winds, nearly 40% of the park caught fire and burned to the ground. A large amount of wildlife perished in the fire as well.
New York City Blackout
The blackout of New York City in 1977 is a well-known incident. Electrical power to the city was lost for nearly 25 hours, creating fear and confusion among the population. What most people do not know is that it was a lightning strike that caused it. The utility company supplying New York City at the time was “Consolidated Edison”, located in Westchester County. When a lightning storm occurred near the plant one day, a lightning bolt struck one of their high-tension wires, causing a major short circuit. Needless to say, life came to a grinding halt in New York City, as subways and elevators stopped working.
Pan Am Flight
One of the worst lightning strikes involving aviation occurred in 1963. A Pan Am flight was preparing to land in Philadelphia when it was struck by lightning. A portion of the wing tore off and the fuel tank ignited, killing all 81 passengers and crew on board.
Contact Lightning Master to Learn More About the Worst Lightning Strikes and Lightning Protection
From all of these examples, it is clear that lightning strikes can cause tremendous damage. Factories, fuel reservoirs, and oil fields are “prime targets” for a lightning strike-related accident. The good news is that you can dramatically reduce the chances of lightning strikes and the resultant damages, by putting in place a comprehensive protection system.
At Lightning Master Corporation, our team is uniquely prepared to analyze your property and develop a lightning protection plan, utilizing the best lightning protection systems and equipment designed to keep your employees and equipment safe. Contact us today at 727-447-6800 to schedule a site analysis.
FAQs
One of the oldest and worst lightning strikes ever recorded happened in the town of Brescia, Italy, in 1769. A church was being used as a battery to store approximately 100 tons of gunpowder. The church took a direct hit of lightning and all the gunpowder eventually caught on fire and exploded.
What is the most times a human has been struck by lightning? ›
Park ranger Roy Sullivan was struck by lightning seven times throughout his life and survived each time. Sullivan is recognized by Guinness world records as the person struck by lightning more recorded times than anybody else. Roy Sullivan was born in Greene County, Virginia on February 7, 1912.
What state records the highest number of lightning strikes? ›
The lightning capitals of the United States:
- When measured by frequency of strikes, Texas tops the list, with 42,388,860 lightning strikes in 2023.
- However, when measuring by lightning density, Florida takes the number-one slot, with 112.6 lightning events per square kilometer.
Superbolts make up less than 1% of total lightning, but when they do strike, they pack a powerful punch. While the average lightning strike contains around 300 million volts, superbolts are 1,000 times stronger and can cause major damage to infrastructure and ships, the authors say.
What is the #1 cause of death from lightning strikes? ›
Though likely underestimated, in the United States there are approximately 400 lighting injuries and 40 deaths annually. Greater than 80% of victims are males with most deaths occurring in individuals 20 to 45 years old. Most deaths occur within one hour of injury and are due to fatal arrhythmia or respiratory failure.
What happens to the body when struck by lightning? ›
Lightning injuries are injuries caused by a lightning strike. Initial symptoms may include heart asystole and respiratory arrest. While the asystole may spontaneously resolve fairly rapidly, the respiratory arrest is typically more prolonged. Other symptoms may include burns and blunt injuries.
What does getting hit by lightning feel like? ›
Chronic pain, heightened startle response, near total inability to sleep, heart palpitations, headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, memory problems, inability to concentrate, loud ringing in my ears, etc. No severe medical impact. Heart stopped but restarted. Burn marks.
What are the odds you survive being struck by lightning? ›
In the U. S., 85 to 90 percent of lightning strike victims survive. The most common after-effects are neurological, most often impairments of memory and mood regulation. Minor, non-specific heart arrhythmias have been observed in victims, but these are not usually life-threatening and resolve without treatment.
Can you survive being struck by lightning? ›
Only about 10% of people who are struck by lightning are killed, leaving 90% with various degrees of disability. More recently, in the last 10 years (2009-2018), the U.S. has averaged 27 lightning fatalities.
What is the lightning capital of the world? ›
While somewhere in Florida is often the lightning capital of the United States, it is not the most struck place in the world. Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela is considered the lightning capital of the world, with an average of 233 lightning strikes per square kilometer per year, according to NASA.
(WFLA) — Four Corners, Florida, an area just a few miles to the south and west of Orlando, was found to have the highest lightning strike density of anywhere in the entire U.S.
What state has the worst lightning? ›
The Southwest Florida Water Management District includes Florida's notorious “Lightning Belt.” It is famous because of the number of thunderstorms and lightning strikes that occur here. They don't call the hockey team the “Tampa Bay Lightning” for nothing.
Where is the stormiest place on Earth? ›
Lake Maracaibo is the stormiest place on the planet. Thunderstorms rage above this massive body of water for up to 200 days of the year, with each ear-splitting event lasting for several hours. But why?
Where is the most common place to be struck by lightning? ›
Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is the place on Earth that receives the most lightning strikes. Massive thunderstorms occur on 140-160 nights per year with an average of 28 lightning strikes per minute lasting up to 10 hours at a time. That's as many as 40,000 lightning strikes in one night!
What was the worst lightning in history? ›
The lightning flash that killed 21 people in a hut in Manica Tribal Trust Lands in eastern Rhodesia [now Zimbabwe] on 23 December 1975: With regard to this event, the primary sources of information consisted of (a) a news release from the Reuters News Service for 24 December 1975 and (b) a listing in the Guinness Book ...
What is the most lightning strikes someone has survived? ›
Sullivan survived the seven strikes and was referred to as a "human lightning conductor." He's currently in the Guinness World Records under the category of most lightning strikes survived.
What place on Earth has the most lightning strikes? ›
These are distributed over Colombia and Venezuela. Lake Maracaibo is the region with the most lightning in the world, with 233 lightning strikes per km2 per year.
