MLive and farmerweather.com meteorologist Mark Torregrossa’sreport on lightning shows that Michigan is one of the most dangerous areas in America during a storm, ranking 13th in lightning fatalities by state.
More than 100 people in Michigan have been killed by lightning since 1959.
Torregrossa says the reason for the high number is that storms often occur when Michiganders are outdoors.
“It’s boating. It’s fishing. It’s camping. And then it’s playing outdoor sports,” Torregrossa says.
The sports that have most lightning fatalities are soccer and golf.
Torregrossa says if you hear thunder or see lightning, you should be inside.
“Lightning can travel quite a distance from a storm,” Torregrossa says. “In fact, 90% of all lightning injuries and deaths happen outside of the thunderstorm.”
So the moments before and after storms are dangerous times as well.
Torregrossa adds that counting the time between lightning and thunder is very accurate.
“About every five seconds, the lightning is about a mile to maybe two miles away,” Torregrossa says.
And that, he says, is too close for you to be outside.
*Listen to full interview above.
