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Lightning fatalities continue to climb

Posted at 9:58 AM, Jul 24, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-27 16:31:03-04

Another person was struck and killed by lightning late last week in Bakersfield, California.

This is the 22nd person to die from a lightning strike so far this year. The total is more than the number of deaths by July 24 in any year since 2009 when 24 were killed by this point.

More people are struck and killed by lightning during the month of July when thunderstorms are most common.

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Most of these lightning strikes occur in southern states, but one person died from a lightning strike as far north as South Dakota.

More than two-thirds of the victims are men, and most of the lightning strike victims from this year are in their 20's. People in their 30's and in their 40's were the next leading age groups.

Lightning can strike up to 10-to-15 miles away from a thunderstorm, so if you can hear thunder, it's best to head inside until the storm passes.