I AM MAN, HEAR ME CROAK

A study of over 1,400 thunderstorm-related deaths carried out at the University of Pittsburgh found that over 70 per cent of those killed by floods and lightning strikes during storms are men. And the reason why the vast majority of victims are men? The researchers came to the simple conclusion that men are more likely to stay out during a storm. "I would say they make poor decisions," said Dr. Thomas Songer, who carried out the research, "Men tend to be optimists. They all think...they're never going to be hit by lightning." Most deaths occured while the men were involved in sports or recreational activities (36.3%), followed by people working (21.8%) and people out boating and fishing (15.2%). As well, over 65 per cent of flash flood victims were men trying to drive around barricades or drive on flooded roads.