Lightning Strike Damages Home, Five Vehicles; Even Flattens Tires

May 20, 2015

A lightning strike left behind an odd trail of damage at a Molino home late Tuesday afternoon – even flattening vehicle tires.

It appeared the lightning first struck a tree at the home in the 700 block of Barrineau Park Road and ran through a pickup truck. The lightning bolt then ran along the ground, leaving behind a trench and damaging three more vehicles.  The center caps were blown off the tires of some vehicles, while other tires were flattened and the tag was knocked off one vehicle. The lightning then traveled to a fourth vehicle and ran electrical lines inside the home, blowing out one of the home’s windows.

There were no injuries. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to check things out and make sure the was no fire.

Pictured: Lightning first struck this tree and truck (inset), with the bolt then digging a trench (also seen in the top photo along the edge of the concrete and in the below photo). The jolt blew the center caps off some of the vehicles’ tires and flattened tires before running to the house and shattering a window (bottom photo). NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “Lightning Strike Damages Home, Five Vehicles; Even Flattens Tires”

  1. Yep on May 20th, 2015 7:21 pm

    Steel-belted radials are not your friend when lightning strikes.

  2. Charlotte on May 20th, 2015 2:42 pm

    Lightning struck my tall Pine Tree, started at the top of the tree, ran all the way down to the ground, then made about a six to eight inch deep path leading to my work building, which was about thirty or so feet away My other half, that is from PA, thinks it never going to strike him. He’ll mow the yard, stand on the back porch, or work In the yard, and lightning is going off everywhere. So, after twenty years and I still can’t convince him lightning is dangerous, I just make sure his life insurance is paid up. LOL.

  3. Denise on May 20th, 2015 11:33 am

    In the late 60’s, lightning hit my parents’ camping spot at Lake Stone. It came down a tree, through the ground, through our Volkswagen, the ground again and into their tent. It blew a big hole in the corner of the tent, with small holes in the floor, leading to and just stopping before the aluminum chair my ma was sitting in. My dad was outside with his hand in the ice chest, getting a beer, and it blew him on his back. The car wasn’t damaged and started right up!

  4. TINA on May 20th, 2015 8:06 am

    RUN UNCLE WOOCHIE!!!

  5. Mike on May 20th, 2015 6:16 am

    That is wild! Lightning will make it’s own path if it can’t find one. Good thing nobody was hurt. :)