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CENTENNIAL, Colo. (KDVR) — On May 3, 1981, nine golfers were struck by lightning at South Suburban Golf Course.

Miraculously, the National Weather Service said none of the golfers were seriously injured.

The NWS said that on average, about 500,000 lightning flashes hit the ground in our state.

Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Chris Tomer says there are several signs of being in a building electric field and at risk of being struck by lightning, including feeling raised hair and hearing a buzzing noise.

In order to maximize your chances of surviving a nearby lightning strike, you need to seek shelter immediately, according to the NWS.

  • Locate safe shelter or an automobile to wait out the storm.

Tomer says the following put you at a higher risk for being struck by lightning:

  • Hiding under trees
  • Hiking above treeline increases your risk.
  • If safe shelter is not an option then your goal is to get low.

The NWS says that based on data since 1980, lightning causes 2 fatalities and 12 injuries per year in Colorado.

From 1959 to 2019, Colorado ranked 4th in the United States for lightning fatalities.

Lightning danger reaches a maximum during monsoon season in Colorado, which is during the afternoons in July and August.