Lightning — Ocean, New Jersey

2021-08-30 · near Seaside Park, Ocean, New Jersey

Event narrative

Seven individuals were struck by lightning in South Seaside Park, with one fatality.

Wider weather episode

A few thunderstorms developed over eastern New Jersey on August 30. Marginal environmental conditions precluded any severe weather in association with these storms. However, they approached several locations along the New Jersey Shore during the mid to late afternoon. Beaches were crowded on what had previously been a sunny and warm day, creating a dangerous situation due to the lightning being produced by the approaching storms. Sadly, a Seaside Park lifeguard was killed and several others in the same area were injured by a lightning strike.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.9100, -74.0800)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 976772. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.