I Learned To Respect Lightning The Hard Way
I have always been amazed by lightning and scared to death of it at the same time. There is just something about a storm rolling in that gets me. Watching the sky light up from a distance is beautiful, but after what I witnessed years ago, I can tell you there is a whole lot of respect mixed in with that fascination too.
Years ago, I watched my children’s father get struck by lightning while holding my son, and to this day, I still cannot believe I saw it happen right in front of me.
We were at my grandparents’ house, waiting in the garage for the rain to slow down so we could load up the kids and leave. He and I had been arguing over who even knows what because back then we argued about everything. I honestly cannot remember what started it now, but I do remember one part clear as day. He said, “I swear to God,” and I immediately got irritated because I hated when he used that saying while lying. I told him, “Don’t you dare swear to God if you’re lying.”
Well, that disgusting waste of skin got mad and yelled something I will never forget… “F-%k God!”
Y’all, I am not exaggerating when I say what happened next felt instant. Lightning struck the garage door and hit him. One second we were arguing, and the next second everything turned into complete chaos. I completely froze because my brain could not even process what had happened.
What scared me most was not him. It was my son. He had my son tucked inside his shirt, trying to keep him dry while we waited for the rain to stop. My heart dropped straight into my stomach because all I could think was, my baby was in his arms. Somehow, my son was physically okay. Shocked and terrified, absolutely, but okay. To this day, I still call that a miracle.
His dad ended up with a nasty burn across his chest, and the lightning had literally blown a hole through his shirt. His heart rate was through the roof and completely out of rhythm. The ambulance came and somehow he survived the whole thing. If I ever had doubts in my faith before that day, they disappeared right there in my grandma’s garage.
Now my poor grandma is the part that still makes me laugh. Bless her heart, she already had the fear of God in her soul and did not want that man in her house – possibly dying or not. While we sat there waiting on the ambulance, she wanted absolutely no part of what she probably considered Satan’s spawn hanging around in her living room. I think she was worried God might want to get his point across with another bolt. Looking back now, I can still picture her face and laugh.
That experience changed me. I still think lightning is one of the most incredible things nature creates, but I also learned firsthand that storms are not something to play around with. As it turns out, a lot of what people believe about lightning is completely wrong.
Related: Tornado Alley Explained: What It Is and Why It Matters
Myth: Lightning Never Strikes The Same Place Twice
This one has been around forever, and it simply is not true. Lightning absolutely can strike the same place repeatedly. Tall objects actually become repeated targets because they are easier for lightning to reach.
Buildings, radio towers, trees, and even the same patch of ground can be hit multiple times during a storm. Lightning is not avoiding places it already visited. If conditions are right, it can strike there again and again.
Myth: If It Is Not Raining Yet, You Are Safe
This myth gets people in trouble because storms do not always stay directly overhead. Lightning can travel miles away from the center of a storm, which means you can still see sunshine and suddenly hear thunder.
That is why weather experts often say if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck. It sounds simple, but that advice can save lives.
Myth: Trees Are Safe During Storms
People run toward trees all the time thinking they have found shelter, especially if they are caught outside unexpectedly. Unfortunately, trees are actually one of the worst places you can stand.
Because trees are usually among the tallest objects around, they attract lightning. Even worse, electricity can spread outward through the ground after impact and injure people standing nearby.
Myth: Rubber Tires Protect You
A lot of us grew up hearing that car tires protect us from lightning because rubber blocks electricity. The truth is, the tires are not doing the work.
The metal frame of an enclosed vehicle helps redirect electricity around the passengers. That means motorcycles, tractors, and convertibles do not provide the same protection.
Myth: People Struck By Lightning Stay Electrically Charged
Television really confused people with this one. Someone who has been struck by lightning does not hold electricity afterward.
If someone is injured by lightning, you can safely touch them and help immediately. I can personally attest to this. Calling emergency services and giving aid quickly can make a huge difference.
Lightning Is Beautiful, But It Deserves Respect
Even now, I still love watching storms roll across the Texas sky. I still think lightning is beautiful and fascinating. At the same time, I learned firsthand that nature can humble you in a split second. I also learned God can use nature to humble you.
After watching somebody get struck standing just feet away from me, I can tell you one thing for sure. I will never casually stand around waiting out a storm again.
And somewhere up above, I still think my grandma is shaking her head saying, “I told you I don’t want that man in my house.”
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and sixteen grandchildren.