Latest news with #IrmoFire
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
20 people struck by single lightning bolt at South Carolina beach
A single lighting bolt along a South Carolina beach struck nearly two dozen people on June 24, including 12 children, local officials confirmed. Twenty people were struck by the lightning bolt near the Lake Murray dam in Lexington County, outside the state capital of Columbia, county spokesperson Vanessa Diaz told USA TODAY on June 25. Twelve people visited local hospitals for treatment while six others were assessed by first responders at the scene, Diaz said. All injuries were considered non-life-threatening. No deaths were reported in connection to the strike, which came during National Lightning Safety Awareness week. Officials received a call around 5 p.m. for an electrocution, Diaz said, adding it was a "bright and sunny at the lake, with clouds nearby but not overhead." 'Horrific': Baby found dead in hotel dresser drawer, parents charged 1 year later The patients' ages were not immediately known, but 12 of the victims were children, Diaz said. "The bolt of lightning that hit the water energized a metal cable with buoys on it that surrounds the swimming area," Diaz said. "Several people had swam out to the buoys and were holding onto the cable when it hit, and others were nearby swimming. Everybody got quite a jolt, we're so fortunate that injuries were not worse than they were." Agencies responding to the scene included Lexington County Fire, Irmo Fire, Lexington County EMS and Lexington County Sheriff's Department. Florida death: Man killed by lightning in New Smyrna while on his honeymoon As previously reported by USA TODDAY, here are four ways people are struck by lightning: Conduction: This is the cause of most indoor lightning deaths and injuries. Lightning travels through wires and other metal surfaces Direct strike: The person becomes a part of the main discharge channel, usually when outside in an open area. Side flash: Lightning strikes a tall object and part of the current jumps from the object to the victim − for example, when a person is struck while standing under a tree. Ground current: Lightning enters the body at the point closest to a strike, travels through the body and leaves at the contact point farthest away from the initial strike. This causes most deaths and injuries. A fully enclosed car or truck can be an option of last resort, but don't touch the steering wheel, radio or ignition. Choose the closest large, enclosed space with plumbing and electrical wiring. Don't shelter in unprotected open buildings, such as metal sheds, picnic pavilions, baseball dugouts and porches. If a shelter isn't available, keep moving to search for a safe place. Don't lie down or crouch on the ground. Avoid trees, light poles, metal fences and bleachers. Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver with USA TODAY, and Nina Tran with the Greenville News Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lightning strike hits 20 people at South Carolina beach: Officials
USA Today
14 hours ago
- Climate
- USA Today
20 people struck by single lightning bolt at South Carolina beach
A single lighting bolt along a South Carolina beach struck nearly two dozen people on June 24, including 12 children, local officials confirmed. Twenty people were struck by the lightning bolt near the Lake Murray dam in Lexington County, outside the state capital of Columbia, county spokesperson Vanessa Diaz told USA TODAY on June 25. Twelve people visited local hospitals for treatment while six others were assessed by first responders at the scene, Diaz said. All injuries were considered non-life-threatening. No deaths were reported in connection to the strike, which came during National Lightning Safety Awareness week. Officials received a call around 5 p.m. for an electrocution, Diaz said, adding it was a "bright and sunny at the lake, with clouds nearby but not overhead." 'Horrific': Baby found dead in hotel dresser drawer, parents charged 1 year later 12 victims struck by lighting are children The patients' ages were not immediately known, but 12 of the victims were children, Diaz said. "The bolt of lightning that hit the water energized a metal cable with buoys on it that surrounds the swimming area," Diaz said. "Several people had swam out to the buoys and were holding onto the cable when it hit, and others were nearby swimming. Everybody got quite a jolt, we're so fortunate that injuries were not worse than they were." Agencies responding to the scene included Lexington County Fire, Irmo Fire, Lexington County EMS and Lexington County Sheriff's Department. Florida death: Man killed by lightning in New Smyrna while on his honeymoon How people are struck by lightning As previously reported by USA TODDAY, here are four ways people are struck by lightning: Where can you shelter if caught outside? A fully enclosed car or truck can be an option of last resort, but don't touch the steering wheel, radio or ignition. Choose the closest large, enclosed space with plumbing and electrical wiring. Don't shelter in unprotected open buildings, such as metal sheds, picnic pavilions, baseball dugouts and porches. If a shelter isn't available, keep moving to search for a safe place. Don't lie down or crouch on the ground. Avoid trees, light poles, metal fences and bleachers. Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver with USA TODAY, and Nina Tran with the Greenville News Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
New York Post
17 hours ago
- Climate
- New York Post
Lightning strikes group of 20, including children, at South Carolina beach park
A group of 20 people were struck by lightning while swimming at a South Carolina beach park Tuesday evening, emergency officials said. The thunderstorm swept through Lexington around 4:43 p.m. ET. One lightning bolt struck a group of eight adults and 12 children at Dominion Beach Park at Dreher Shoals Dam, according to a Lexington County spokesperson. Advertisement A spokesperson for the Irmo Fire Department said the lightning bolt hit the water and energized a metal cable with buoys on it that surrounds the swimming area. 'Several people had swam out to the buoys and were holding onto the cable when it hit, and others were nearby swimming,' Irmo Fire officials said. 'Everybody got quite a jolt, we're so fortunate that injuries were not worse than they were.' Originally, county officials told FOX Weather 18 people were sent to a local hospital, including all 12 children. However, the county has since updated their information to state 12 people were sent to three local hospitals for treatment. And while the extent of their injuries was not given, all were expected to survive, officials said. They did not give a breakdown in their update on how many of the injured were adults or children. Advertisement The thunderstorm swept through Lexington, South Carolina around 4:43 p.m. ET. bluebeat76 – 12 people were sent to three local hospitals for treatment. Fox The National Weather Service office in Columbia, South Carolina had issued a Special Weather Statement about 5 minutes before the lightning strike warning a strong thunderstorm was heading for western Lexington County with lightning and gusts to 50 mph. 'Lightning can strike far away from a cloud. It doesn't seem logical but a few hundred of us are believers today,' Irmo Fire officials said. 'It was bright and sunny at the lake, with clouds nearby but not overhead… Thunderstorm safety is no joke! Stay safe out there.' Advertisement John Jensenius with the National Lightning Safety Council says lightning can strike the ground as much as 10 miles away from the thunderstorm. Officials said the beach park would reopen Wednesday.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
South Carolina lightning strike: 18 hospitalized, including 10 children, after Lake Murray incident
On Tuesday, twenty individuals were injured in a lightning strike at a lake in South Carolina, per Fire officials. Dominion Beach Park is set to reopen following the lightning incident, with officials urging visitors to heed weather alerts.(Pexel) They say the incident occurred around 4:43 PM ET at Dominion Beach Park on Lake Murray, located near Dreher Shoals Dam in Lexington County. ALSO READ| When will NYC mayoral election results be announced? Here's how to track them live What happened at Lake Murray? A sudden thunderstorm rolled into the area, and one bolt of lightning struck the water where a group of 20 people, eight adults and 12 children, were swimming. Irmo Fire Department spokesperson said the lightning energised a metal cable with buoys that marks the perimeter of the swimming area. 'Several people had swam out to the buoys and were holding onto the cable when it hit, and others were nearby swimming,' Irmo Fire officials said, per Fox Weather. 'Everybody got quite a jolt, we're so fortunate that injuries were not worse than they were.' While the original reports mentioned 18 individuals hospitalised, all 12 children included, Lexington County said later that 12 people were taken to three hospitals to receive better treatment. Officials did not provide updated details on the ages of those injured, but they confirmed all are expected to survive. Notably, the National Weather Service released a Special Weather Statement, which noted there is a storm headed to western Lexington County, which would have a possibility of lightning and wind speeds up to 50 mph. ALSO READ| Axiom space mission launch today: When and where to watch 'Lightning can strike far away from a cloud. It doesn't seem logical but a few hundred of us are believers today,' Irmo Fire officials noted. 'It was bright and sunny at the lake, with clouds nearby but not overhead… Thunderstorm safety is no joke! Stay safe out there.' Dominion Beach Park is expected to reopen on Wednesday.
