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The National Weather Service is reporting that nationwide lightning-related deaths are the highest they've been since 2009 following the death of a hiker on Tuesday.

A 71-year-old Texas man was struck and killed Tuesday afternoon while hiking on a trail in Manistee County, Mich., according to John Jensenius, a meteorologist and lightning expert with the National Weather Service.

The man's death brings the total of lightning strike-related deaths to 34, the most since 2009 when 34 people died total for the year. Based on the past 10 years, the average number of deaths through Sept. 6 is 28.

Seven Floridians, including two Palm Beach County residents, were killed this year. That's the highest of any state nationwide. Louisiana and New York are tied with four deaths each.