So I was almost struck by lightning, the other day...

**Oneironaut Zero** · 09-26-2009 01:56 PM

I've had some close calls with lightning before, but this was the closest. I was walking from my truck to Planet Fitness, and just as I was about to reach the door, a bolt came down so close that it actually look like it struck the roof of the building (but I'm guessing it was right behind it, and only looked that way because of my perspective - unless it actually hit and there was just no damage to the building whatsover). I happened to be looking at the sky, when it happened, so it came down right in front of my face, and I actually saw the whole thing, from top to nearly the bottom, as if I was looking up at a skyscraper. First time I had ever seen one from that angle.

Anyway, this bitch was so close that, even though it struck in front of me, the car alarms in the parking lot like 20 feet behind me started blaring. I went damn near deaf for a few seconds, and had this tingle that stayed with me until I was in the locker room...but maybe that was just a shot of adrenaline. Heh.

Anyone else here ever been struck, almost struck, or know people who have been struck?

My friend Ed is like 40-something. He has been struck directly 3 times (Yes. 3.), and has had 7 indirect strikes (where fringes of the bolt jump and tag him). He doesn't know why lightning is so attracted to him, but it really fucked him up for a while. At one point, he'd lost most of his motor skills and his memory got so bad where he was literally remembering one day at a time. He would forget everything that happened the previous day. He got help, though, and he's better now; albeit a bit crazy (in a humorous way). Needless to say, though, when it starts lightning, get out of his way, because he's seeking shelter as fast as possible.

This other guy I used to work with had the bright idea to weed-eat his grass when there was a storm moving in. For those who don't know, lightning can strike something up to like 15 miles from the storm itself. He had a potential buyer coming to his house, so he was doing some last-minute maintenance, when he got struck. The bolt entered through the back of his neck, exited the space between his thumb and index finger, and completely exploded his weed-eater. He spent a few days in the hospital, but was alright. He ended up with a large scar on the back of his neck, and this tiny little pin-prick of a scar on his hand.

Lucky fuckers, though - both of them - to still be alive.

**Odd_Nonposter** · 09-26-2009 05:34 PM

I don't know anybody that's been struck by lightning, but in elementary school a bolt of lightning struck our bus. There was basically just a flash and a bang and a nice burn spot on the inside of the bus. There's also a tree nearby that's been struck close to nine times by lightning.

**Oneironaut Zero** · 09-26-2009 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by Odd_Nonposter

I don't know anybody that's been struck by lightning, but in elementary school a bolt of lightning struck our bus. There was basically just a flash and a bang and a nice burn spot on the inside of the bus.

That's crazy. Was anyone in it at the time, or was it empty? Moving or parked? I'm having this picture in my mind of all of you driving down the road and the bus getting struck by lightning. If that's what happened, and the driver didn't crash, he/she should get a medal. Lol.

**slayer** · 09-26-2009 06:41 PM

My dad says that if it's storming out and you feel the hairs on your skin start to rise, then there will be lightning near you.

I think he said that only happens on bridges though, but either way, he said to get as close to the ground as you can.

**Michael** · 09-26-2009 07:38 PM

I live in Florida, so I've met some people that have been struck. (they all have piercings too). Florida has a ton of storms in case you didn't know. But I've only had one close call. I was swimming one day a few years ago, and there was some clouds, but no rain or lightning yet, or else I wouldn't have been swimming. Then suddenly a huge ass bolt came down and struck my pool filter like 50 feet away from me. I was so shocked at how fast it all happened and how loud that shit was. also, I noticed that after it stuck my pool filter, another bolt came flying from the ground to the sky from my neighbors yard. This all happened so fast I didn't have time to think about anything. After that I got out and noticed my ears were ringing and I could hardly hear. Scary shit....

I've also seen lightning stike a big ass tree, and the whole thing fell down on top of a horse. Wish I had a camera for that one.

Edit: my pool filter wasn't even damaged even though the bolt looked huge. =)

**CRAZY BONE** · 09-26-2009 08:03 PM

Well I live in San Diego so we don't get any lightning.

But one time I was backpacking up in New Mexico with some friends and there was a big lightning storm. We learned later that there was a Boyscout troop who had been having a summer camp nearby, and when they were all eating breakfast under this big tent structure, a lightning bolt hit the flagpole right next to it. The flagpole fell down and landed on the tent, killing about 15 or 20 people. It was really tragic

**Jeff777** · 09-26-2009 10:43 PM

Wow O, sounds crazy. Good thing you weren't hurt! :O

**Odd_Nonposter** · 09-27-2009 01:36 AM

Originally Posted by Oneironaut

That's crazy. Was anyone in it at the time, or was it empty? Moving or parked? I'm having this picture in my mind of all of you driving down the road and the bus getting struck by lightning. If that's what happened, and the driver didn't crash, he/she should get a medal. Lol.

The bus was half full and moving. There was just a flash and a bang and a burn spot. Nobody was hurt, just startled. Everybody was just like WTF? and the driver shouted back, "I think we've been struck by lightning," nonchalantly, and kept on driving. I loved it when she drove. I wish that she hadn't retired, but a sciatica kinda makes it kinda difficult.

**Zhaylin** · 09-27-2009 04:15 AM

Wow, O! Amazing story! Amazing people you know!

I'm terrified of being out when there's lightning.
I lived in Pensacola, FL from about the age of 10-21 or so. When I was younger my mom would always nag my brother and I to NOT shower/bathe or talk on the phone when there was a storm.
That always stuck with me, but I loved lightning and still never really saw it as being dangerous.
But one year... it must have been 1995, a group of people were partying on a beach when a storm blew in and struck most of them. I no longer recall the exacts, but I have a lingering impression that several of them died.

Ever since then, I'm not comfortable walking outside when it's storming (that's a huge understatement... I become borderline paranoid and frantic to find shelter).
But I still love watching it from inside

**Dream scientist** · 09-27-2009 06:46 AM

They say that the more you are struck by lightning, the more likely it is to happen again.

Be that as it may, I had an absolutely SICK non-lucid dream last night where I could control, create and direct lightning. I traced a line through the air with my left hand, and when the lightning struck, I shot it through my left arm back into the sky. Freaking awesome!

**Catbus** · 09-27-2009 01:05 PM

The closest I've ever been to lightning was when it struck a tree about 50 feet away from me. Judging by how incredibly loud that was, I can't imagine being even closer.

**tommo** · 09-27-2009 02:39 PM

Dream Scientist - that sounds AWESOME!

I can't help but laugh at these lightning strikes lol
Especially the horse one. I feel sorry for it but it sounds hilarious.

Never been close to being struck before. I usually tempt fate during a storm. I almost always go outside and sometimes swim in the pool looking up at the sky. Probably not too smart but it's beautiful and a major rush.

**khh** · 09-27-2009 06:59 PM

I've never been close that close to lightening. Closest was once when it hit about 200 metres from me. I could feel the ground shaking, and the sound was pretty loud, but that was it.

**Oneironaut Zero** · 09-27-2009 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by Maverick

Well I live in San Diego so we don't get any lightning.

But one time I was backpacking up in New Mexico with some friends and there was a big lightning storm. We learned later that there was a Boyscout troop who had been having a summer camp nearby, and when they were all eating breakfast under this big tent structure, a lightning bolt hit the flagpole right next to it. The flagpole fell down and landed on the tent, killing about 15 or 20 people. It was really tragic

Dayumn. That is really tragic.

Originally Posted by Odd_Nonposter

The bus was half full and moving. There was just a flash and a bang and a burn spot. Nobody was hurt, just startled. Everybody was just like WTF? and the driver shouted back, "I think we've been struck by lightning," nonchalantly, and kept on driving. I loved it when she drove. I wish that she hadn't retired, but a sciatica kinda makes it kinda difficult.

Wooow. That's insane. If it actually struck the bus, I can only imagine how loud/bright it must have been.

Originally Posted by Zhaylin

But one year... it must have been 1995, a group of people were partying on a beach when a storm blew in and struck most of them. I no longer recall the exacts, but I have a lingering impression that several of them died.

Ever since then, I'm not comfortable walking outside when it's storming (that's a huge understatement... I become borderline paranoid and frantic to find shelter).
But I still love watching it from inside

Yeah. Something like that would make me a bit paranoid of it, too. I'm not deathly afraid of lightning - so much as I am fascinated by it - but when it really gets bad, I'm getting under something as quick as I can.

Originally Posted by Dream scientist

They say that the more you are struck by lightning, the more likely it is to happen again.

Really? That might explain what's up with Ed. That's crazy, though, and not a good "talent" to have. Lol.

Originally Posted by tommo

Never been close to being struck before. I usually tempt fate during a storm. I almost always go outside and sometimes swim in the pool looking up at the sky. Probably not too smart but it's beautiful and a major rush.

"Tempting fate" is an understatement. You, my friend, have a deathwish.

**Clairity** · 09-27-2009 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by Oneironaut

Anyway, this bitch was so close that, even though it struck in front of me, the car alarms in the parking lot like 20 feet behind me started blaring. I went damn near deaf for a few seconds, and had this tingle that stayed with me until I was in the locker room...but maybe that was just a shot of adrenaline. Heh.

It really pushes home how quickly life can be "snuffed out" in an instant.. doesn't it?

I'm just so glad you're ok!

.

**Jeff777** · 09-27-2009 10:38 PM

Heh, it's pretty bad that as a kid...I used to want to get struck by lightning so I could fly at lightning speeds, run super fast and be invincible.

**Kuhnada29** · 10-03-2009 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Odd_Nonposter

I don't know anybody that's been struck by lightning, but in elementary school a bolt of lightning struck our bus. There was basically just a flash and a bang and a nice burn spot on the inside of the bus. There's also a tree nearby that's been struck close to nine times by lightning.

that reminds me of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW7KOZNtn0w

LMAO!! no one was seriously hurt

**LucidFlanders** · 10-03-2009 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Jeff777

Heh, it's pretty bad that as a kid...I used to want to get struck by lightning so I could fly at lightning speeds, run super fast and be invincible.

I'm just taking a wild guess here, but that did not turn out to work for you, now did it? sometimes when dreams you want to come true, are better off left dead.

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