Indiana DNR officials believe they have a guilty party for the dozens of dead bats that washed up on the Lake Michigan shoreline at a popular Michigan City beach.

And they’re pointing the finger at the strong storms that swept through Michiana Friday night into Saturday morning.

They believe the mortality event is likely tied to the storm, which included strong winds, hail, and heavy rain.

Bats tend to migrate in groups, and can therefore encounter severe weather like this in large numbers.

The DNR is still collecting more information about the deaths, and remind the public not to touch any dead bats, but instead report them to the Indiana DNR online.