My greatest fear overall is inexperienced boaters going by stories or hear-say of prior events when people got stuck, or fished out a storm… sometimes with incredible results on the fishing. The wrong boat in the wrong place at the wrong time that willingly puts itself in harms way with the expectations of a magical fishing trip could easily end up with disaster, or death for someone, or some group in a boat. I dont think the other occupants in the boat that is struck by lightning are going to feel any better if they drown vs getting zapped.
We are all aware of previous deaths that have occured to people on golf courses, kids on playgrounds, people that get struck on the water, lake or river. If you think about it.. how many boats hang on the water during storms? How many golfers do you see on the golf course during a thunderstorm? You dont. That pretty much tells me whomever stays out there at least has a some small chance of getting struck.
I dont feel that unsafe anymore on the Minnesota river because it is in fact a small riverway and most everything around me is much higher… But that isnt going to stop a tree from falling on me if I have the boat beached, or ducking under one to dodge hail.
Last night I launched out of the Cedar ave access off Blackdog road. I came from 35W and it only took seconds to notice there were trees and large limbs EVERYWHERE. There was lots of new logs and debris floating down the river last night, the trek back to the access was very slow due to large logs in the water.. all with green leaves. The area got hammered by the storm. If anyone was fishing Black Dog the contest night… I am sure they got quite the show and went running for cover at some point in time(if there was anywhere to go?) The lights on the Cedar Ave bridge were not on last night.. The access was dark. I assume the power is still out from the storm damage. It appeared the road may not have been passable as many large trees and brush were cleared from the road.
I am glad I wasnt in that direct area when it hit! I dont think I would have needed to be struck.. I would have probably had a heart attack with all the falling trees and flying limbs!