Lightning strike in South Carolina turns utility pole into fireball; dashcam video leaves internet stunned
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The incident, which occurred in broad daylight, caused widespread power outages and traffic delays but, thankfully, resulted in no injuries.
The Mount Pleasant Police Department posted the footage on social media, where it quickly went viral, sparking amazement, shock, and discussions about the dangers of severe weather.
Lightning strike sets utility pole on fire in Mount Pleasant, caught on dashcam
The short clip begins with a rain-soaked highway scene, where vehicles are moving cautiously under dark, stormy skies.
Suddenly, a blinding bolt of lightning strikes a utility pole with tremendous force. Within a split second, the top of the pole erupts into a massive ball of fire, illuminating the surroundings as if it were night turning into day. The fiery glow is followed by an immediate plunge back into darkness, and then smoke begins rising from the site of the strike.
The scene is both visually stunning and deeply unsettling, showing the raw and unpredictable power of nature.
Lightning strike in Mount Pleasant causes road closures and power outages
According to the police department, the incident happened around 11 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 17 and Shelmore Boulevard in Mount Pleasant.
The lightning strike brought down live electrical wires, forcing officers to shut down multiple intersections and redirect traffic. More than a dozen officers and community service officers (CSOs) were deployed to control traffic flow at seven different intersections for nearly three hours.
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How lightning strike can cause utility poles to explode
Lightning carries an extremely high voltage — often exceeding 300 million volts — and can heat the air it passes through to around 30,000 Kelvin (five times hotter than the Sun's surface).
When such intense electrical energy strikes a utility pole:
Surge of current — The lightning flows into the power lines, creating a sudden surge.
Instant overheating — Electrical components like transformers or insulators can overheat within milliseconds.
Arc flash — The electrical discharge creates a plasma explosion, often appearing as a fireball.
Combustion of materials — Wood poles, insulation, or plastic casings can ignite, producing the dramatic flames seen in the video.
This combination of factors explains why the Mount Pleasant pole turned into a fireball on impact. The Mount Pleasant Police Department praised Dominion Energy for its swift response in removing the downed wires and restoring power to affected areas.
'A bit too much excitement for a Monday! Fortunately, no one was injured, and Dominion Energy responded quickly,' the department wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Social media reacts to the lightning strike in South Carolina
The video triggered a flood of comments online, ranging from shock to humor:
'Oh my gosh, that is absolutely insane!'
'Shocking, positively shocking.'
'What movie is this?'
Some residents thanked the police for raising awareness about storm-related dangers, while others expressed relief that no injuries were reported.
Lightning safety reminders
While this incident ended without harm, lightning remains one of nature's most dangerous forces. Experts recommend the following safety precautions during thunderstorms:
Seek shelter indoors or inside a vehicle.
Avoid tall objects, open fields, and water bodies.
Stay away from windows and unplug electronics to prevent power surge damage.
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