Lightning Strike Injuries Are Surging — Here's How To Stay Safe In NYC

NEW YORK CITY — As New York City's record-breaking heat wave begins to subside, the oncoming storms may make you want to dance in the rain, but don't give in to temptation.

Lightning strike injuries are surging with more than 30 recorded across the country in the past two weeks, including one in Central Park on June 19, AccuWeather forecasters say.

"Lightning is a serious summertime safety risk that can injure or tragically kill people who are outdoors," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.

A 15-year-old boy was struck by lightning during a severe thunderstorm on June 19 in Central Park, the New York City Police Department and law enforcement sources said.

According to the NYPD, Yassin Khalifa, a high school sophomore, was near 101st Street and East Drive in Central Park when medics got to him.

The victim was rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center with neck injuries at 3:40 p.m.

According to WABC-TV, Khalifa was at a picnic in the park when the storm began.

“I leaned up against a tree, and I told them, ‘Oh, guys, let’s ride out the storm,’ which in hindsight might not have been the best idea,” Khalifa told WABC-TV.

"Apparently, I’m pretty lucky, because my spine was directly against the tree and no nerve damage happened. So I’m like, not losing any sort of motor function," Khalifa said. According to reports, he sustained burns to his neck and leg.

To stay safe during a lightning strike, AccuWeather meteorologists said it's important to get inside as soon as the signs of a thunderstorm begin to develop.

If a large, dark, cauliflower-shaped cloud begins to rapidly grow taller into the sky, a thunderstorm may be approaching, meteorologists said.

The most common activities that have led to lightning strike deaths in the United States include swimming, going to the beach, fishing, and riding a bicycle or motorcycle in a thunderstorm, according to the Lightning Safety Council.

Lightning can reach temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun, and can strike from up to 30 miles away, the Lightning Safety Council said.

"Be aware of your surroundings and have a plan to get to a safe shelter if you hear thunder rumble in the distance," Porter said.

"Don’t wait for the storm to approach or to hear more thunder, the first rumble is the time to get indoors, or to a vehicle if a building is not nearby."

Porter also said it's important to stay inside for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder or flash of lightning.

Here is the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 67. East wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind 3 to 6 mph.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Saturday night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.

Sunday night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.

Monday night: A chance of showers before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tuesday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.