Here’s a closeup of where lightning damaged the palm tree. Photo by Chris Kridler, SkyDiary.com, ChrisKridler.com
I was at a party and went outside to shoot photos of the approaching storm. The lightning became very intense as it neared, so I retreated from the home’s driveway to the alcove at the front door. Note: This is not a safe shelter from lightning, but I felt less exposed there.
I shot a little video, then switched to stills, just before a lightning bolt hit a tree just on the other side of the home’s garage. The flash and bang were instantaneous – what storm chasers call a “flang” – and it scared me thoroughly. I was lucky it didn’t hit any closer.
Afterward, I got photos of the palm tree that was damaged. There was a hole blasted in its trunk.
The storm became severe-warned and caused a lot of minor wind damage.
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