WHITEWATER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A 29-year-old Whitewater man is dead after being struck by lightning following severe storms that passed through Monday, July 27.

A representative for We Energies says the 29-year-old was a contractor performing work on their behalf. Whitewater authorities say they believe the tree the man had been working on was struck by lightning, killing him.

“Anytime that you’re outside during a thunderstorm, it’s a dangerous situation,”

      --Chris Vagasky, a lightning data specialist based in Madison, Wisconsin.

According to Whitewater Fire and EMS, on Monday morning, a supervisor heard a loud bang and a flash on a tree that a tree trimmer was working on, contracted by We Energies.

The victim was 60 feet in the air, and firefighters were unable to get to him immediately. The victim died at the scene.

In a statement posted online, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2150 wrote in part “one of our own was killed on the job…due to a lightning strike….please keep him and his family in your thoughts.”

In a statement sent to CBS 58, We Energies wrote in part, “we are deeply saddened and extend our condolences to the contractor’s family, friends and coworkers.”

Vagasky says in the United States around 20 people a year are killed by lightning, with 200 injured every year

“Lightning is a lot more powerful than the electricity that runs through the walls,” said Vagasky.

The deadly strike came as an EF-3 tornado touched down in Menasha, with winds touching up to 140 miles an hour.

“We had extremely warm and humid conditions,” said Vagasky.

First responders say despite the destruction, a low number of injuries were reported as officials work to determine the total damage.

“It was during the week, everybody was at work. It was the middle of the day. Most people were not at home, they were at their place of employment,” said Chief Matthew Albrecht with the Menasha Police Department.

In the meantime, it will be several days until power is restored as local officials ask for patience, and support.

“The difficult part is that there is so much destruction in Menasha that we don’t have a clear through route to get through Menasha at this point, especially for larger vehicles,” said Albrecht.

The identity of the man hit by lightning has not yet been released. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers urged people to remember that many are “risking their lives to restore services” for those affected by the storms.