Too-Close Lightning

On Friday night, September 13th, we had an intense thunder storm go over us. Lots of lightning, and then there was one very bright flash with an immediate ear-tingling boom. The shock wave blew the living room window shut which had been open a few inches. But our power stayed on and we didn't hear any trees falling. So where did the lightning hit? It wasn't until Monday afternoon that our neighbor Julie arrived home from her trip and figured it out.

'toothpick' shreds of wood scattered on Julie's walkway behind her house.

more 'toothpick' shreds on her grill.

Julie spotted the damaged tree in her backyard.

Walking around the damaged tree, Glen spotted this adjacent one that seems to have also taken a hit. The blue arrow indicates the swing in our backyard. This was a bit too close for comfort, but thankfully, no damage to either house. Julie's cable/internet was fried, though, and took days to get repaired.