Lightning — Cumberland, New Jersey

2001-08-11 · near Dividing Creek, Cumberland, New Jersey

Wider weather episode

A lightning strike killed a 29-year-old man while he was crabbing with his father on the Oranoaken Creek in the Egg Island Wildlife Management Area in Downe Township. They were in a non-motorized crabbing boat when the thunderstorm struck. He apparently was standing in the boat when he was struck by lightning in the head. Efforts to revive him failed. A bit farther east, a lightning strike damaged part of the electric security fencing at the Leesburg State Prison in Maurice River Township.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5268667. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.