Lightning — Suffolk, Massachusetts

2008-07-20 · near Grove Hall, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Event narrative

Lightning struck a tree at Franklin Field on Talbot Avenue in Dorchester. Between seven and ten people, including one boy had taken shelter under the tree while watching a soccer game. They were all injured when the lightning struck and subsequently hospitalized. Reports as to the number of people injured vary. Two days later seven of them were still hospitalized, with four in intensive care. Injuries ranged from heart attacks, numbness in the legs, and burn wounds. All were expected to live.

Wider weather episode

A shortwave trough and a warm, humid, unstable atmosphere combined to produce showers and thunderstorms across southern New England. These storms produced damaging wind and lots of lightning. Seven to ten people were struck when standing under a tree at a soccer game in Dorchester, MA. Another was struck when turning off the water to an outdoor shower in Hingham, MA. Several other lightning strikes ignited fires in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (42.2921, -71.0808)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 125946. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.