Lightning — Atlantic, New Jersey

2011-07-03 · near Hammonton, Atlantic, New Jersey

Event narrative

A 54-year-old male was struck and killed by lightning while ducking under a tree during a thunderstorm to light a cigar in Hammonton. In 1963, the man's father was also struck and killed by lightning. A 38 year-old male cousin was seriously injured by the same lightning strike. The man felt a blast and remembered being thrown back a few feet before losing consciousness. He regained consciousness in the ambulance and was expected to recover.

Wider weather episode

A warm front acted as a focus for strong to severe thunderstorms during the early morning of the 3rd in northwestern New Jersey and during the late afternoon and early evening of the 3rd across central New Jersey.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.6300, -74.8200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 333694. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.