The thunderstorm that quickly blew through Michiana on Tuesday, June 13, was a fast-moving one, but that didn’t make it any less dangerous, especially for lightning strikes.
A man was struck by lightning Elkhart Green Apartments in the 100 block of Hively Avenue in Elkhart, according to 95.3 MNC’s reporting partners at The Elkhart Truth.
A witness says she saw a bolt of lightning hit the tree and strike the victim underneath it. He was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Several fire crews from the Mishawaka Fire Department responded to Sams Club after a report of lightning hit the building. ABC 57 news anchor Brian Dorman tweeted that the store was closed on account of the lightning strike.
MFD on scene Sams Club. Lighting strike the building. Units investigating for fire and damage.
— Mishawaka Fire Dept (@MishawakaFIRE) June 13, 2017
About 1,500 Indiana Michigan Power customers lost electricity due to the storm. The utility stated restoration for some would take place by late afternoon.
#BREAKING: About 1,500 I&M customers without power after this afternoon’s sudden storm. pic.twitter.com/Kdas783HZo
— News/Talk 95.3 MNC (@953MNC) June 13, 2017
Residents in Elkhart County were advised to take shelter when the strong storm was elevated to “severe” status when winds speeds reached 50 miles per hour. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued by the National Weather Service at 2 p.m. The warning was in effect until 2:30 p.m. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were also issued for Fulton, LaGrange and Kosciusko Counties, as well as St. Joseph County in Michigan in the 95.3 MNC listening area.
Power out on South Bends west side. Lincolnway and Wilber using stop signs as lights are out. @ABC57News pic.twitter.com/tS2tHZjWGX
— Vahid Sadrzadeh (@VahidTV) June 13, 2017