In October of 1997, the NLSI published their findings of 35 years research on lightning fatalities in the USA between 1959-1994. Here is a chart which summarizes the report:
1. Location of Incident:40% Unreported.
27% Open fields & recreation areas (not golf).
14% Under trees (not golf).
8% Water-related (boating, fishing, swimming…).
5% Golf/golf under trees.
3% Heavy equipment and machinery-related.
2.4% Telephone-related.
0.7% Radio, transmitter & antenna-related.
2. Gender of victims = 84% male; 16% female.
3. Months of most incidents = June 21%, July 30%, Aug 22%.
4. Days of week of most incidents = Sun./Wed./Sat.
5. Time of day of most incidents = 2 PM to 6 PM.
6. Number of victims = One (91%), two or more (9%).
7. Deaths by State, Top Five = FL, MI, TX, NY, TN.
8. Injuries by State, Top Five = FL, MI, PA, NC, NY.
I'm no scientist, but my interpretation of this report would suggest that a man playing golf in July on a Wednesday afternoon in Florida has a pretty good chance of being struck by lightning and killed!
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