"Top Lightning Hotspots in the US Unveiled"

New data from the University of Wisconsin-Madison reveals that Americans experience 36.8 million ground lightning strikes annually, with Florida being the most hit state. The Gulf Coast and Southern Plains are lightning hotspots, while the western US sees fewer strikes due to different weather patterns. Lightning strikes kill or maim about 250,000 people worldwide each year, and insurance agencies shell out about one billion dollars annually over lightning damage claims. The study also uncovered that lightning flashes in some parts of the country are more likely to hit the ground at multiple points than others, and the damage threatens not only people's lives and the natural environment, but the nation's economy as well.