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Lightning claims one more life in active year

Posted at 10:40 AM, Sep 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-29 13:40:22-04

Lightning has killed 36 people so far this year — more than any other year in almost a decade.

The last time that number was anywhere close to where it is this year was 2009 when 34 people died from lightning strikes. In 2007, 45 people died from lightning strikes.

RELATED: Storm Shield app provides life-saving weather alerts
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Most of the people who've died from lightning are enjoying leisurely activities. Only a handful were outside working.

An average of 31 people have died every year in the last 10 years.

And an average of one more person is typically struck and killed during the upcoming month of October. That means the lightning fatality numbers could add one more to the total before the colder, less stormy part of the year begins.

Follow Storm Shield Meteorologist Jason Meyersvia the Storm Shield appon Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Download the Storm Shield Weather Radio App for your iPhone or Android device and get severe weather alerts wherever you are. Named by Time.com one of the best weather apps for your iPhone.