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Lightning in Socorro County, New Mexico
Lightning July 15, 2017 · Socorro County, New Mexico
Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.
What the National Weather Service wrote
A 93-year old woman died from a lightning caused fire at her home of 80 years. She died from smoke inhalation.
The wider storm
A thunderstorm that developed near Socorro shortly before 5 pm produced an intense lightning strike that resulted in an indirect fatality of an elderly woman. The preliminary investigation into the tragedy suggests a lightning strike on Molina Hill near Socorro caused a chain reaction. Investigators believe that the lightning struck a pole nearly 200 feet from the century-old house. They say that caused a surge in the living room of the old adobe home. It is believed that the lightning strike triggered a fire that killed 93-year-old Frances Molina in her home. Molina, who lived in her home for 80 years, apparently died from smoke inhalation.
Began near Socorro (34.0524, -106.9058).
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 703248. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.
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