This story was updated to add a video.
The lightning capital of the United States is living up to its name this summer. Over the weekend, Florida saw more than 25,000 lightning strikes in just 24 hours, WESH 2 reported.
The Sunshine State recently claimed its first lightning fatality June 20 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, when a 29-year-old Colorado man died while on his honeymoon.
Three people, one in critical condition, were injured by lightning Saturday, July 12, at St. Augustine Pier, according to a post by St. Johns Fire Rescue on Facebook.
And a video of lightning in a neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida is circulating online. The video shows the strike setting a tree on fire and causing damage to a transformer, sending sparks into the air. You can watch the video below.
Watch: Lightning sparks fire in neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida
What is the lightning capital of the world?
Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela is considered to be the lightning capital of the world, but within the United States that title belongs to Florida.
The Sunshine State sees more lightning strikes per square mile than any other state in the U.S., averaging about 1.2 million strikes annually, according to Florida Health.
How many people are killed by lightning in Florida every year?
Florida is one of the leading states with the most lightning injuries and fatalities.
Florida averages about 7 lightning fatalities each year, Florida State University Emergency Management says. From 2015-2024, there were 50 lightning deaths in the state, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.
In 2025, there have been a total of nine lightning fatalities in the United States.
A 29-year-old Colorado man who died June 20 on his honeymoon in New Smyrna Beach was the first lightning death in Florida this year and the fourth nationwide, says the National Lightning Safety Council.
Why is there so much lightning in Florida?
“The combination of heat, humidity and sea breezes on both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts makes the perfect breeding ground for thunderstorms over the Florida Peninsula,” according to AccuWeather.
Sea breeze is the push of ocean air that usually brings a drop in temperature or humidity level during the day. Ocean temperatures often lag behind air temperatures, so this phenomenon enhances showers and thunderstorms, says AccuWeather. Clouds, showers and thunderstorms tend to focus on the boundary between the cool ocean air and the warm air well inland.
How does lightning form?
Lightning forms when “electricity occurs between areas of opposite electrical charge,” according to FSU Emergency Management. Lightning flashes when the attraction between positive and negative charges are strong enough to overcome the air’s resistance.
Cloud-to-ground lightning, which can strike people, animals, trees, etc, is the most dangerous kind. Other types of lightning paths includes within clouds, between clouds and from clouds to air.
Lightning radar near me: AccuWeather map tracks Jacksonville strikes
To track lightning near you, you can visit AccuWeather and see lightning activity within the past thirty minutes.
Top 10 US states for lightning strikes in 2024
In Advanced Environmental Monitoring’s report, Florida retained its rank as the top state for the number of lightning strikes per square mile: 76.
The ‘deadly dozen’: What were people doing when killed by lightning?
According to the National Weather Service and Lightning Safety Council, the 12 activities that contributed to the most lightning fatalities in the U.S. between 2006 and 2024 were:
Hear thunder? Lightning is within striking distance. Here’s how to stay safe if you’re outside
The National Lightning Safety Council offered this advice to stay safe if you’re outside:
Weather radar for Jacksonville, Florida. See week’s forecast
Follow the National Weather Service Jacksonville on X, formerly known as Twitter
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Is Florida the US lightning capital? See strike spark fire in Jacksonville neighborhood
Reporting by Ashley Ferrer and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
