A dramatic dash cam video has surfaced, showing a lightning bolt hitting a utility pole in South Carolina, which caused a transformer to explode.
Mount Pleasant Police were on patrol along Highway 17 during a thunderstorm that surprised many morning commuters. The incident was shared on their X account, highlighting the intensity of the event.
In an instant, lightning struck a utility pole on the left side of the road, causing such a surge of electricity that streetlights on the opposite side went dark.
Officers noted that the strike led to blackouts and various traffic delays. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported. Dominion Energy responded quickly to restore power and clear downed wires.
A vivid fireball lit up the sky immediately after the strike, and the impact was so fierce that it caused sparks and embers to fly from nearby traffic lights.
The police humorously remarked, “I’m a little too excited on Monday!” while sharing updates on the situation.
This occurred around 11 a.m. and resulted in widespread power outages and extended traffic interruptions. Police managed several intersections for about three hours while workers addressed the blackout.
This summer has seen a notable increase in storms across South Carolina. From late July to early August, nearly 100,000 lightning strikes were recorded during a particularly active week.
It seems that the unusual combination of high moisture and unstable air is fueling this surge in lightning activity, lending itself to strong updrafts and ice formation in the atmosphere.
Interestingly, South Carolina isn’t alone in experiencing dramatic lightning strikes this year. In July, a photographer named Max Griani captured a bolt hitting the One World Trade Center during a heavy rainstorm, which he had anticipated by seeking out his favorite filming spot.
His smartphone caught several striking images, including one direct hit on the tower’s antenna, amidst turbulent waters of the Hudson River.
According to Accuweather, One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the U.S. and has seen 189 strikes from 2015 to 2020, while Chicago’s Willis Tower holds the record for the most, with around 250 strikes during the same timeframe.
