Arkansas man is seventh U.S. lightning-related death of 2015

by Weather Channel

A 22-year-old man was killed by lightning Saturday afternoon while fishing on a northwestern Arkansas lake, authorities confirmed.

The man and his wife were with a fishing guide on Beaver Lake when the lightning struck him, according to 4029TV.com. Seven people have been killed by lightning in five states so far in 2015, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

2015 Lightning Deaths:

Florida: One death in Bonita Springs on May 13.
Iowa: One death in Moscow on May 4.
North Carolina: Two deaths total on April 9. One in Cary and another in Anderson Creek.
New Mexico: One death in Carrizozo on May 15.
West Virginia: One death in Fayetteville on June 1.
Arkansas: One death in Benton County on June 13.

Lightning Facts
NOAA says that during the 10-year period of 2004-2013, 33 people were killed and 234 were injured by lightning strikes annually.

On average, lightning strikes are fatal to about 10 percent of people who are struck. The remaining 90 percent survive, however they often suffer from an array of long-term, often debilitating symptoms.

No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area. If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. Immediately move to safe shelter, a substantial building or inside an enclosed metal-topped vehicle.

Below are some additional facts about lightning:

25 million - Average U.S. cloud-to-ground lightning strikes per year
50,000 degrees (F) - Temperature that lightning can reach
1,800 - Average number of thunderstorms on earth at any given moment
100 - Number of times lightning hits earth per second
5-10 miles - Distance lightning can strike away from a thunderstorm
The energy of a lightning bolt can exceed the power of a nuclear reactor
Average lightning strike can light a 100-watt bulb for more than 3 months