Lightning — Wayne, Michigan

2007-06-27 · near Detroit, Wayne, Michigan

Event narrative

A golfer was struck and killed by lightning after seeking refuge under a tree at the Rogell Golf Course near 7 Mile and Lahser Roads.

Wider weather episode

Numerous waves of thunderstorms affected southeast Michigan during the afternoon and evening of June 27, 2007. Severe storms developed along and ahead of a cold front, which dropped south through a very warm and humid airmass. There were numerous reports of wind damage and hail. Saginaw County received two separate rounds of severe weather, producing hail to one-inch in diameter and a number of reports of trees and power poles blown down by winds. Flooding was also a concern, as some areas were repeatedly affected by complexes of storms. Northern Shiawassee County received the worst flooding, with National Weather Service radar estimating up to six inches of rainfall in just a few hours. A golfer in northwest Detroit was struck by lightning and killed after seeking refuge under a tree.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (42.3300, -83.0700)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 41708. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.