The incident highlights the dangers of lightning strikes, which kill about 20 people annually in the United States and injure hundreds more, according to the NWS. The ongoing severe weather in the Southeast, including heavy downpours and gusty winds, increases the risk of flash flooding and lightning-related injuries. Outdoor activities, particularly water-based ones like jet skiing, are especially hazardous during such conditions. The NWS warns that lightning can strike well outside the immediate area of heavy rainfall, making it crucial to heed weather warnings and take precautions.