Lightning — Kent, Rhode Island

2009-08-05 · near Coventry, Kent, Rhode Island

Event narrative

Nine people, taking shelter under a tree at Foster Memorial Park, were injured when lightning struck nearby. Five of the injured refused medical treatment, the other four were transported to a nearby hospital. There were only minor injuries. No information was available on their ages.

Wider weather episode

A cold front moved across Southern New England into an unstable atmosphere, resulting in showers and thunderstorms forming along the front. Some of these storms became severe producing strong, damaging winds and frequent lightning strikes.

A group of nine people sought shelter under a tree at a sports field. Lightning struck the ground or a fence nearby and the nine felt a shock from the strike. Only minor injuries were sustained.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.6800, -71.5700)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 191850. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.