Salem, Oregon – Oregon emergency officials are using the winter months to reinforce lightning safety awareness after 21 people across the United States were killed by lightning in 2025, the highest annual total since 2019.
According to the National Weather Service and the National Lightning Safety Council, most lightning fatalities last year occurred during outdoor activities such as hiking, forestry work, construction, farming, and recreation near water. While Oregon did not record a lightning-related death in 2025, officials stress that the state still faces real risk once thunderstorm season returns.
Lightning danger in Oregon typically increases from late spring through summer, especially east of the Cascades where thunderstorms are more frequent and can develop rapidly. Central and eastern Oregon often see dry lightning, which poses both strike risk and wildfire danger, while western Oregon can experience isolated but dangerous summer storms.
State and local officials say winter is the ideal time to strengthen safety habits ahead of 2026. If thunder is heard anywhere in Oregon, residents should move indoors immediately to a substantial building or enclosed vehicle. Open rangeland, ridge tops, isolated trees, metal equipment, and bodies of water significantly increase the risk of being struck.
Emergency management leaders emphasize that early decisions save lives. Lightning safety outreach is expected to ramp up statewide as warmer weather approaches, with the goal of keeping Oregon residents prepared, informed, and safe throughout the next thunderstorm season.
