Lightning — Somerset, New Jersey

2009-07-26 · near Franklin Park, Somerset, New Jersey

Event narrative

A lightning strike and ensuing fire damaged twelve units of a condominium on Fisher Drive in Franklin Township. Six of the units were deemed uninhabitable due to fire, smoke and water damage. One resident was hospitalized after she became light-headed. It took about 60 firefighters two hours to get the fire under control. Damages were estimated.

Wider weather episode

An unseasonably warm and humid air mass combined with an approaching surface trof to produce strong to severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening across New Jersey. The combination of lightning and damaging winds caused about 20,000 homes and businesses to lose power in Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth and Union Counties.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.4376, -74.5434)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 186507. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.