May 27th 2024.
On a peaceful Saturday afternoon in Rand, Colorado, tragedy struck as rancher Mike Morgan lost his life to a lightning bolt. The 51-year-old was in the middle of feeding his cattle when the bolt struck him and 34 of his cows. It all happened so suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving everyone in shock and disbelief.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Morgan was in the process of giving his animals food from a trailer when the lightning bolt hit him around 2pm. Despite the efforts of bystanders and first responders who tried to save him, Morgan was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff's office expressed their deepest condolences to Morgan's family and friends during this difficult time.
The strike not only took Morgan's life, but it also affected the nearby pasture and the cattle that were gathered around the trailer. County coroner George Crocket reported that over 100 head of cattle were struck by the lightning bolt, but miraculously, all but 34 of them were able to get back up. Morgan's wife and father-in-law were also present during the incident, but thankfully, they survived.
The small town of Rand, located about 80 miles northwest of Denver, was shocked by the tragic event. Crockett stated that the tight-knit community was deeply affected by the loss of one of their own. The close-knit relationships between neighbors made the tragedy even harder to bear.
Unfortunately, Morgan's death was not an isolated incident. Over Memorial Day Weekend, powerful storms swept through states such as Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas, resulting in 21 deaths. The storms then moved towards the East Coast, causing flight delays and cancellations at airports like John F Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York.
As reported by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Colorado has one of the highest rates of lightning fatalities and injuries in the United States. However, Jackson County has not recorded any deaths from lightning strikes between the years 1980 and 2021, which is the time frame that the National Weather Service has been tracking such incidents. Within Colorado, El Paso and Larimer counties have unfortunately seen the most lightning-related deaths over the past four decades.
In light of these alarming statistics, the CDC advises residents to stay away from windows, porches, concrete, electrical equipment, and water during thunderstorms. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service recommends staying indoors during storms, although it's worth noting that people have also been struck while seeking shelter.
Morgan's death comes almost a year after a public works worker was saved by a police officer who performed CPR on him after being struck by lightning on a soccer field in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of lightning, and the importance of taking precautions during severe weather.
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