What Happened in History: Browse Historical Facts on Kudos 365

Lightning hits a fortress in Luxembourg being used as an armory during the occupation by Napoleon’s French forces, igniting the gunpowder stored inside resulting in a massive explosion that destroyed two city blocks with an estimated 300 or more fatalities and widespread fires and devastation. The Luxembourg disaster may have been the most deadly lightning strike in history. According to the NWS Storm Data, over the last 30 years (1989-2018) the U.S. has averaged 43 reported lightning fatalities per year. Only about 10% of people who are struck by lightning are killed, leaving 90% with various degrees of disability.