​Deadly Lightning Strikes Spark Concerns In NJ: Here's How To Stay Safe

There have been two fatal lightning strikes in New Jersey in the past two weeks, bringing the nationwide total of lightning strike fatalities to 12 in 2025 — nearly matching the tally of 13 for all of 2024, according to data from the National Weather Service.

Most recently, on Wednesday night, a 61-year-old New Jersey man died after he was hit by lightning as severe weather rolled through an archery range in Jackson. Fourteen other people were also struck, and sustained injuries that ranged from burns to complaints of pain and not feeling well.

"My son's sneakers and socks were blown off his feet," said a father of one of the children who was hit. A group had been ther for a Cub Scout archery outing. The boy ended up with second-degree burns on one foot.

On Monday, a 28-year-old New Jersey man died from his injuries after being struck while playing golf at Ballyowen Golf Course in Hamburg on July 8.

Simon Mariani, 28, of Franklin Lakes, was struck by lightning on July 8. According to officials, Hardyston police officers responded to the golf course at around 2 p.m. after receiving a call that someone had been struck by lightning. Mariani was found lying down on the course ground. Mariani was air-evacuated to Cooperman Barnabas Hospital and was pronounced dead on Monday. Read more here.

New Jersey ranks right near the top of the country in total lightning deaths and injuries ever recorded, falling in the overall top 10. The CDC says Florida sits at the top, with more than 2,000 lightning injuries in the last 50 years.

Last month, Florida saw four separate cases of strikes in just a few weeks that left at least eight people injured, including one 29-year-old man who died after being taken to the hospital. The Colorado man had been honeymooning on the beach when he was hit.

A 15-year-old boy was also struck last month in New York City's Central Park. According to WABC-TV, he was at a picnic in the park when a severe thunderstorm began. “I leaned up against a tree, and I told them, ‘Oh, guys, let’s ride out the storm,’ which in hindsight might not have been the best idea,” Khalifa told WABC-TV.

According to the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, lightning causes an average of 67 deaths each year nationwide. Others who are injured commonly survive with long-term, debilitating symptoms including memory loss, sleep disorders and muscle spasms.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the chances of being hit are less than one in a million, there are things you can do to help mitigate the risk:

Lightning Safety

According to the National Weather Service, the best way to protect yourself from lightning is to avoid the threat. "You simply don’t want to be caught outside in a storm. Have a lightning safety plan, and cancel or postpone activities early if thunderstorms are expected...Substantial buildings and hard-topped vehicles are safe options. Rain shelters, small sheds, and open vehicles are not safe," the NWS said.

And when inside, don't touch anything that is plugged into an electrical outlet, plumbing, and corded phones. "Cell phones and cordless phones are safe. Also, keep away from outside doors and windows and do not lie on a garage floor."

Activities That Increase The Risk Of Being Struck

According to the CDC, lightning strikes most often connect with those outside participating in recreational activities or working. Almost two-thirds of all lightning deaths from 2006 through 2021 involved someone who was fishing, boating, playing sports or relaxing at the beach.
Farmers and ranchers have been identified as one of the highest-risk groups for being struck, with 18 percent of all deaths coming from work-related activities.

More Safety Tips and Resources

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