Lightning — Sandoval, New Mexico

2009-07-04 · near Rio Rancho, Sandoval, New Mexico

Event narrative

Jarrod Truesdale, a 26 year old man, was killed by a lightning strike in the parking lot of Rio Rancho High School before a fireworks show. His wife, 26, was also struck and sustained serious injuries. Their 4 kids, ranging from 18 months to 7 years in age, as well as the wife's 21 year old sister also sustained injuries. The family was headed for their vehicle to seek shelter from the storm.

Wider weather episode

Monsoonal moisture was responsible for a thunderstorm with heavy rain west of Santa Fe, which resulted in water flowing out of an arroyo at a height of two feet. Lightning from a thunderstorm in Rio Rancho struck and killed a 26 year old man. Six other members of his family sustained injuries.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.2675, -106.6640)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 198408. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.