Lightning Demolishes Lake Hudson Oak

By Craig Day, The News On 6

After viewers sent in some great pics of a lightning damaged tree at Lake Hudson, The News On 6 went to find out more. It serves as a reminder as well that spring is a time for lightning danger.

It's easy to see that spring has sprung at Lake Hudson's Lakeland Housing Addition: the blooms, the rainy sky, the tree obliterated by lightning.

"The tree is just gone," said Ron Glenn, the landscaper for the property. "It's unbelievable."

When lightning nailed the tree, it nailed it good - demolishing the big oak, splintering branches, and tossing limbs 35 yards away.

"That's a pretty long distance," Glenn said.

Lake Hudson Lightning Tree

One even punctured the neighbor's house, and stripped the bark.

"You'd think somebody sand blasted this trunk the way it looks," he said. "That's what my job is going to be, have to figure out a way to get all of this out of here," he said.

It's a good reminder of how powerful lightning can be. If it can do this to a tree, just imagine what 100-million volts can do to a person.

"I've seen some damage, but I've never seen anything like this," Glenn said.

On average, 400 people are struck by lightning nationwide each year, killing 60. That's more than hurricanes and about the same number killed by tornados.

Another interesting thing you may not know about lightning is that it can often strike as far as 10 miles away from the nearest rain. Experts say a good rule of thumb is, if you hear thunder, you could be in danger.

For Ron Glenn, he's got a lot of work ahead of him. He doesn't need a reminder that the severe storm season is here, Mother Nature has already done that.

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