327
Recorded events
68
Counties affected
18
Direct deaths
$19.1M
Property damage
Michigan lightning history: 327 recorded events across 68 counties between 1996 and 2025.
Decade by decade
Michigan lightning history by decade
The 2000s are the busiest decade on record with 193 reported lightning events across Michigan. Earlier decades are thinner because systematic reporting for this hazard expanded over time, not because the weather was calmer.
County ranking
Counties with the most lightning events in Michigan
| Rank | County | Events | Deaths | Damage | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Oakland County | 40 | 1 | $2.3M | 1996–2021 |
| #2 | Macomb County | 25 | 0 | $2.9M | 1998–2012 |
| #3 | Washtenaw County | 21 | 2 | $1.8M | 1997–2014 |
| #4 | Wayne County | 21 | 3 | $857K | 1997–2015 |
| #5 | Lenawee County | 18 | 1 | $880K | 1997–2007 |
| #6 | Genesee County | 15 | 1 | $223K | 1996–2014 |
| #7 | Livingston County | 13 | 0 | $1.8M | 1998–2021 |
| #8 | Monroe County | 11 | 0 | $180K | 1999–2024 |
| #9 | Lapeer County | 10 | 0 | $1.4M | 2000–2017 |
| #10 | Marquette County | 10 | 0 | $144K | 2008–2025 |
| #11 | Saginaw County | 7 | 0 | $203K | 1998–2007 |
| #12 | Shiawassee County | 7 | 0 | $260K | 1998–2024 |
| #13 | Grand Traverse County | 7 | 1 | $182K | 2000–2025 |
| #14 | St. Clair County | 7 | 0 | $28K | 1998–2023 |
| #15 | Midland County | 6 | 0 | $70K | 1997–2006 |
| #16 | St. Joseph County | 6 | 1 | $30K | 1997–2014 |
| #17 | Huron County | 5 | 0 | $570K | 2000–2014 |
| #18 | Bay County | 5 | 0 | $63K | 2005–2006 |
| #19 | Sanilac County | 5 | 0 | $145K | 1999–2011 |
| #20 | Otsego County | 4 | 0 | $503K | 1998–2009 |
| #21 | Kent County | 3 | 0 | $1.0M | 1998–2010 |
| #22 | Ottawa County | 3 | 0 | $60K | 1998–1998 |
| #23 | Berrien County | 3 | 0 | $840K | 2001–2006 |
| #24 | Cheboygan County | 3 | 0 | $75K | 2003–2015 |
| #25 | Kalamazoo County | 3 | 0 | $20K | 1997–2011 |
Significant events
Deadliest lightning events in Michigan
| Date | County | Scale | Deaths | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 2011 | Oscoda County | — | 2 | 1 |
| Jul 18, 1996 | Gladwin County | — | 1 | 6 |
| Aug 19, 2016 | Presque Isle County | — | 1 | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2006 | Gogebic County | — | 1 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2006 | St. Joseph County | — | 1 | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2000 | Grand Traverse County | — | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 19, 2002 | Washtenaw County | — | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 21, 2001 | Hillsdale County | — | 1 | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | Washtenaw County | — | 1 | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2003 | Lenawee County | — | 1 | 0 |