Storm Recap: Boy Struck by Lightning

By Margaret Lyons in News on Oct 19, 2007 3:13PM

Yesterday's big storm? Well, not as big as we had thought it would be. But 2,300 ComEd customers are without power on the South Side, there was some property damage downstate, and an 11-year-old on the West Side was struck by lightning. He's listed as being in good condition. Maybe they should take him to UIC's Lightning Injury Lab? We cannot recommend this reading list highly enough.

What happens when people are struck by lightning? A bunch of stuff. Every year, around 70 people die from being struck — but the deadsies only represent about 10 percent of the total number of people hit by lightning. (Other sources put it closer to 20 percent or more.) Those who survive often experience damage to their nervous systems and sometimes suffer isolation and depression. (They should contact the Lightning Strike & Electric Shock Survivors International.) Men are about four times as likely to be hit by lightning, just FYI.

According to the National Weather Service, there's a 1 in 5,000 chance that you'll be struck by lightning in your lifetime. Ayee! Mark your calendar for lightning safety week, June 22-28. And if you can read this whole post and not think of The Great Outdoors, well, we don't want to know you.

Lightning shot by Jeff Cagle.