Severe Weather History


Maine Lightning History: 215 Recorded Events

215

Recorded events

16

Counties affected

5

Direct deaths

$8.5M

Property damage

Maine lightning history: 215 recorded events across 16 counties between 1996 and 2023.

Decade by decade

Maine lightning history by decade

Maine lightning history: recorded events per decade
Maine lightning history: recorded events per decade

The 2000s are the busiest decade on record with 133 reported lightning events across Maine. Earlier decades are thinner because systematic reporting for this hazard expanded over time, not because the weather was calmer.

County ranking

Counties with the most lightning events in Maine

RankCountyEventsDeathsDamageSpan
#1York County430$991K1997–2013
#2Cumberland County422$1.8M1996–2014
#3Kennebec County211$452K1996–2010
#4Lincoln County180$2.2M1999–2009
#5Oxford County180$1.5M1996–2018
#6Androscoggin County140$81K1996–2009
#7Franklin County110$522K1996–2014
#8Hancock County101$10K1996–2023
#9Knox County90$531K1996–2010
#10Somerset County80$122K1997–2009
#11Penobscot County50$20K1996–2023
#12Piscataquis County51$01997–2023
#13Waldo County40$156K1996–2004
#14Sagadahoc County30$25K1998–2002
#15Washington County30$40K1998–1999
#16Aroostook County10$02003–2003
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events · ranked by recorded event count

Significant events

Deadliest lightning events in Maine

DateCountyScaleDeathsInjuries
Jul 18, 2008Cumberland County—20
Jul 5, 2000Hancock County—10
Jun 12, 2005Kennebec County—10
Aug 26, 2007Piscataquis County—11
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events · dates UTC

All hazards in Maine · Lightning across the U.S.