Four girls were injured while swimming at Blue Hole Park on Saline Creek in Mayes County, Oklahoma, after being struck by lightning on Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 10:45 a.m. According to the Grand River Dam Authority Police Department, two girls were taken to Pryor Hospital in private vehicles, while the other two were transported by ambulance to Tulsa Hospital. As of now, it’s uncertain how they are doing.

At the time of the lightning strike, there were scattered thunderstorms with lightning, tiny hail, and strong winds moving across Oklahoma. Blue Hole Park, a popular swimming spot during the summer, is located east of Salina. The area has been experiencing an ongoing record heatwave, with parts of Oklahoma under heat alerts during the weekend.

The National Weather Service reports that in the year 2022, there were 19 direct lightning deaths in the US, up from 11 in 2021. From 2013 through 2022, there were roughly 23 lightning-related fatalities per year nationwide.

The United States has lightning hotspots: Florida, the “Lightning Capital,” the Central Gulf Coast, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Arizona’s monsoon season. Stay vigilant during thunderstorms and take precautions to stay safe