Lightning Kills Two in Houston

Four postings down I talk about the danger of lighting and include a link to a story about a lightning death in Atlanta. It is dismaying to read about the two men killed in Houston yesterday. Lightning is a major threat that needs to be taken seriously. 

HOUSTON — Just before noon on Sunday, storm clouds rolled over the La Escondida Soccer Club fields near Aldine.

Thunder rumbled and rain began to pour, prompting three players in the men's soccer league to scramble under a tree near the edge of the fields to wait out the sudden storm.

Then at 12:05 p.m., the lightning struck. The bolt sounded like a bomb when it hit the tree, shooting like a missile and creating a bright, blue light starting at the top and scattering down the trunk where the unsuspecting men sat, witnesses said.

Harris County Sheriff Deputy Joe Shriver, who was at the field, said he ran toward the tree after the lightning hit to find the three men lying motionless on the ground. Most of the other 200 others gathered at the complex to watch and play in their weekly soccer matches scattered in the other direction.

Per Johnny Kelly, seven have been killed by lightning in the U.S. since July 1. Remember, When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!