Two Struck by Lightning in Monroe

Two people who live in Walton Mill subdivision on Towler Street in Monroe found out that lightning can strike twice - at least on the same street. 

Monroe Fire Department public information officer Lt. William Owens said the two people, who lived across the street from each other, both received a “shock” when they were stuck by lightning during Tuesday’s storm.

“There were no significant injuries – neither was transported,” Owens said, adding that one of the victims was outside at the time, sitting on a car. The second victim was inside the house, standing by the kitchen sink. “People should remain indoors when there is a lightning storm. If you can see lightning or hear the storm – even from far off – there is a risk of being struck.”

Owens said he is not sure whether the days of inclement weather have added to any specific increase in call type for the fire department, but, like everybody else, it is challenging to have to spend so much time working in the rain. He said people do need to be extra cautious in bad weather though.

“Avoid swollen streams, never drive though bodies of water that are over their banks and never cross a bridge that is submerged,” Owens said.

The National Weather Service gives the following tips for lightning safety. 

Outdoor lightning safety

• NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!!
• If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
• When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.
• Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.

If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby, these actions may help reduce your risk

• Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
• Never lie flat on the ground
• Never shelter under an isolated tree
• Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
• Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)

Indoor lightning safety

• Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.
• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.
• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
• Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls. 

Weather predictions from Weather.com suggest not to expect too much of a change in the current weather pattern for a while. Weather predictions for the next 10 days for Monroe are for scattered storms, every day, except for the possibility of a slight reprieve on Friday.