Lightning in Kent County, Rhode Island

Lightning August 5, 2009 · Kent County, Rhode Island

Injuries

Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.

What the National Weather Service wrote

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.

The wider storm

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.

Began near Coventry (41.6800, -71.5700).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 191850. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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