User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:24:15 AM EDT
My neighbor’s tree got stuck yesterday evening. He screwed brackets into the tree to hang string lights. Notice where the stripped bark ends. I guess it’s probably a bad idea to screw metal brackets into a tree to hang lights off of. Another crazy thing that happened was on the inside (sunroom) a socket plate blew off and according to the person that was in the room, a spark shot out of it. Luckily she was sitting across the room. Crazy stuff.
 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:28:04 AM EDT
[#1]
Ride the Lightning! Glad nothing caught fire.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:32:14 AM EDT
[#2]
Fact: Lightning can have 100 million to 1 billion volts, and contains billions of watts
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:32:38 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Ride the Lightning! Glad nothing caught fire. No kidding. The parents weren’t home at the time so I went over to make sure everything was ok. Did a check around the house before the homeowner returned. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:46:04 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Ride the Lightning! Glad nothing caught fire. I did that once in the mid 1960's when I was paperboy. I was putting the newspaper in behind a customer's screen door when BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! According to another customer who saw it my body jumped three feet straight up into the air without even bending my knees. Ears still ringing all these years later. For the record, it was VERY LOUD and VERY BRIGHT. Stunned me pretty good too. I could not work my muscles enough to get back on my bike so I pushed it home, sat down for a few minutes to compose myself and then did the rest to my route on foot. Never told my parents. They had enough worries already. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:49:08 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Fact: Lightning can have 100 million to 1 billion volts, and contains billions of watts A typical lightning flash is about 300 million Volts and about 30,000 Amps - electrifying isn't it |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:50:31 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I did that once in the mid 1960's when I was paperboy. I was putting the newspaper in behind a customer's screen door when BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! According to another customer who saw it my body jumped three feet straight up into the air without even bending my knees. Ears still ringing all these years later. For the record, it was VERY LOUD and VERY BRIGHT. Stunned me pretty good too. I could not work my muscles enough to get back on my bike so I pushed it home, sat down for a few minutes to compose myself and then did the rest to my route on foot. Never told my parents. They had enough worries already. You sir have what they call grit. We need more people like that. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:51:30 AM EDT
[#7]
That's how one of my neighbor's house burned down.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:54:22 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's how one of my neighbor's house burned down. The homeowner did call the fire department before turning the breakers back on as a precaution. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:56:05 AM EDT
[#9]
A tree in my neighbor’s yard across the street got struck a few years ago and caused about $10K in damage at my house. Idk what his damages were but, much more than mine. It blew one of his outside spigots off.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 7:59:39 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A tree in my neighbor’s yard across the street got struck a few years ago and caused about $10K in damage at my house. Idk what his damages were but, much more than mine. It blew one of his outside spigots off. I think NC ranks up there with FL when it comes to deadly lightning. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:01:13 AM EDT
[#11]
Lightning pic thread!
 DSC_4337_SuperBolt-lzn by FredMan, on Flickr DSC_0161-CloudBolt by FredMan, on Flickr Lightning 20180601 by FredMan, on Flickr Lightning 20180601 by FredMan, on Flickr Lightning 20180808 by FredMan, on Flickr Lightning Rainbow 20180514 by FredMan, on Flickr Lightning Rainbow 20180514 by FredMan, on Flickr
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:12:17 AM EDT
[#12]
Hmm, I also have a metal bracket into a tree to hang my patio lights. Guess I need to rethink that. Thanks for the post.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:12:42 AM EDT
[#13]
That tree is gone, I have seen this happen.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:13:50 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That tree is gone, I have seen this happen. That was another thought. Will the tree survive? |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:16:27 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Hmm, I also have a metal bracket into a tree to hang my patio lights. Guess I need to rethink that. Thanks for the post. Maybe a plastic bracket would be a better option? I have string lights around my deck too but aren’t attached to any trees. I used a 2x2 to hold one corner up. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:18:30 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A typical lightning flash is about 300 million Volts and about 30,000 Amps - electrifying isn't it Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Fact: Lightning can have 100 million to 1 billion volts, and contains billions of watts A typical lightning flash is about 300 million Volts and about 30,000 Amps - electrifying isn't it I'm shocked to learn this. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:20:12 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Maybe a plastic bracket would be a better option? I have string lights around my deck too but aren’t attached to any trees. I used a 2x2 to hold one corner up. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Hmm, I also have a metal bracket into a tree to hang my patio lights. Guess I need to rethink that. Thanks for the post. Maybe a plastic bracket would be a better option? I have string lights around my deck too but aren’t attached to any trees. I used a 2x2 to hold one corner up. Yeah, I was searching for one but couldn't find anything. My other thought was using a zip tie. It is already using a zip tie to attached to the bracket but if I use another zip tie attached to that zip tie maybe that would provide enough insulation? This tree is right at the edge of the patio so trying to figure out another option. I do use a 4x4 in a planter for the attachment point next to the outlet but I can't fit that where this tree is and is why the tree is perfect. Shit. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:27:30 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yeah, I was searching for one but couldn't find anything. My other thought was using a zip tie. It is already using a zip tie to attached to the bracket but if I use another zip tie attached to that zip tie maybe that would provide enough insulation? This tree is right at the edge of the patio so trying to figure out another option. I do use a 4x4 in a planter for the attachment point next to the outlet but I can't fit that where this tree is and is why the tree is perfect. Shit. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Hmm, I also have a metal bracket into a tree to hang my patio lights. Guess I need to rethink that. Thanks for the post. Maybe a plastic bracket would be a better option? I have string lights around my deck too but aren’t attached to any trees. I used a 2x2 to hold one corner up. Yeah, I was searching for one but couldn't find anything. My other thought was using a zip tie. It is already using a zip tie to attached to the bracket but if I use another zip tie attached to that zip tie maybe that would provide enough insulation? This tree is right at the edge of the patio so trying to figure out another option. I do use a 4x4 in a planter for the attachment point next to the outlet but I can't fit that where this tree is and is why the tree is perfect. Shit. Ground the bracket with some bare wire and a nail. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:28:41 AM EDT
[#19]
This recent storm was arcing and sparking non stop.
I'm surprised that there were no major fires.  May 2, 2022 |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:29:41 AM EDT
[#20]
Induced currents
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:38:18 AM EDT
[#21]
When I was a kid lightning hit a big oak tree about 30 feet from the house.
Blew out an electrical outlet in a bedroom that was about 2 feet below a window. Parts of the outlet came through the window sill. Tree was toast. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:39:03 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Maybe a plastic bracket would be a better option? I have string lights around my deck too but aren’t attached to any trees. I used a 2x2 to hold one corner up. I had this very thing happen to me except my lights were not attached to the tree. They were attached to the deck, right next to the tree. The lightning went all the way down the tree and jumped/crossed into the wiring. Then it travelled around the deck, exploding each light and inside via the outlet. Fried pretty much everything inside. And the tree died. They always die if they’re hit. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:41:31 AM EDT
[#23]
17 years ago my neighbors house burned to the ground after a lightning strike.
No one was home except for their golden retriever. The neighbor on the other side said the dog was with them on vacation. Poor dog. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:46:47 AM EDT
[#24]
Good chance anything electronic plugged into that house is fried. May show up immediately or take a few months to die but it’s been damaged…probably. Have them check EVERY item and EVERY function of that item before settling with insurance.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:47:18 AM EDT
[#25]
FWIW, I don't think the bracket had anything to do with the tree being hit. Had the bracket and lights not been present, the bark would have been blown off all the way to the ground, and the tree would be just as dead.
That said, the lightning would have been less likely to damage wiring in the house if there had been no connection from the tree that was stuck to the wiring. Edit to add: If you have a double oven, check both. My neighbor's home was struck by lightning, and about 18 months later they discovered that their rarely used bottom oven's heating was damaged when they hosted Thanksgiving and needed both ovens. The interior of the oven was covered with slag, and a couple of inches of the element was missing. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:47:26 AM EDT
[#26]
The biggest thing I've learned about lightning is that it can come out of a clear blue sky.
I've seen it, and it scared the crap out of me. I've been caught on golf courses in some wicked storms because I stuck around hearing thunder in the distance. No more. They say if you can hear thunder you're at risk. I believe it. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:47:40 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That was another thought. Will the tree survive? Sometimes they die fast, other times it takes a few years. It’s already dead either way. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:48:21 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I think NC ranks up there with FL when it comes to deadly lightning. Lost a house up the road from me last night due to strike. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:48:24 AM EDT
[#29]
Utility guy here
Lighting is fucking incredible And destructive ETA and as an aside, we had a guy in town building a tree house for his kids. Lightning hit a tree like your neighbor’s, the current ran down the tree and into the electrical cord of the drill he was using. Killed him. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:58:19 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That was another thought. Will the tree survive? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: That tree is gone, I have seen this happen. That was another thought. Will the tree survive? No. It’s gone might as well start before it starts drying out. Nice tree next to it so they are not losing much there but it’s going cost to take it out |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 8:58:58 AM EDT
[#31]
They should use that tree to make baseball bats.
If you're on a golf course and a bad storm comes up, hold a one iron up in the air, even god can't hit a one iron, or so I've heard. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:01:54 AM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yeah, I was searching for one but couldn't find anything. My other thought was using a zip tie. It is already using a zip tie to attached to the bracket but if I use another zip tie attached to that zip tie maybe that would provide enough insulation? This tree is right at the edge of the patio so trying to figure out another option. I do use a 4x4 in a planter for the attachment point next to the outlet but I can't fit that where this tree is and is why the tree is perfect. Shit. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Hmm, I also have a metal bracket into a tree to hang my patio lights. Guess I need to rethink that. Thanks for the post. Maybe a plastic bracket would be a better option? I have string lights around my deck too but aren’t attached to any trees. I used a 2x2 to hold one corner up. Yeah, I was searching for one but couldn't find anything. My other thought was using a zip tie. It is already using a zip tie to attached to the bracket but if I use another zip tie attached to that zip tie maybe that would provide enough insulation? This tree is right at the edge of the patio so trying to figure out another option. I do use a 4x4 in a planter for the attachment point next to the outlet but I can't fit that where this tree is and is why the tree is perfect. Shit. Get a heavy rubber bungee. Wrap around tree . |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:02:11 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Sometimes they die fast, other times it takes a few years. It’s already dead either way. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: That was another thought. Will the tree survive? Sometimes they die fast, other times it takes a few years. It’s already dead either way. Plenty of live trees in the woods with ooold lightning scars. Yeah , everything dies, but lightning strikes are definitely survivable. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:05:00 AM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: No. It's gone might as well start before it starts drying out. Nice tree next to it so they are not losing much there but it's going cost to take it out Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: That tree is gone, I have seen this happen. That was another thought. Will the tree survive? No. It's gone might as well start before it starts drying out. Nice tree next to it so they are not losing much there but it's going cost to take it out eta- That tree healed over the scar in about 10 years. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:07:29 AM EDT
[#35]
^
I I I had a very close encounter once and it left a lasting impression. Quit chasing storms afterwards and still get a little nervous these days. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:07:49 AM EDT
[#36]
Two of my trees were struck by lightning about 15 years ago.
Forgive the old flip-phone pics. Apple tree in my back yard.  Attached FileWalnut tree, split right up the middle.  Attached File |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:10:45 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A typical lightning flash is about 300 million Volts and about 30,000 Amps - electrifying isn't it Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Fact: Lightning can have 100 million to 1 billion volts, and contains billions of watts A typical lightning flash is about 300 million Volts and about 30,000 Amps - electrifying isn't it |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:11:35 AM EDT
[#38]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:13:40 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That was another thought. Will the tree survive? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: That tree is gone, I have seen this happen. That was another thought. Will the tree survive? Not likely Lightning hit a big oak tree like that one on a hill just past the property line a number of years ago. Maybe 1/4 mile from house or more. But some of the bark actually flew about 50’ away. Its in a bad spot to fell it without getting hung up. But I do need to try and get it down before it gets cut up or chopped up when the gas company installs a new pipeline for a Utica well going in nearby sometime soon. Will be nice dry firewood. You can see how it grew so it was twisting. Not great for woodworking boards.  Attached FileThis was the most violent lightning hit on a tree I’ve found. Had a black walnut on my property about 100yrds from this oak also get hit around same time +/- a year or two. And a small pear tree by the garden - maybe 200 yard from the house get it. It just split that tree trunk wide open, I guess from the water going to super heated steam so fast. It was maybe 6” dia |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:14:02 AM EDT
[#40]
very timetravelly/clock tower type rig there
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:14:05 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That was another thought. Will the tree survive? Probably not, time for neighbor to break out the stihl. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:23:09 AM EDT
[#42]
Damn
 I was at a park one time, National Park, can't remember, and there was a picture of two guys who kind of reminded me of Bill & Ted from the movie. Their hair was standing on end and there was a picture of them, they were both killed by lightning a few seconds later. The family allowed the picture and story to be on a poster for safety. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:33:22 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Damn I was at a park one time, National Park, can't remember, and there was a picture of two guys who kind of reminded me of Bill & Ted from the movie. Their hair was standing on end and there was a picture of them, they were both killed by lightning a few seconds later. The family allowed the picture and story to be on a poster for safety. They didn’t die https://www.nbcnews.com/healthmain/decades-later-hair-raising-photo-still-reminder-lightning-danger-6c10791362 |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:35:37 AM EDT
[#44]
  
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:38:27 AM EDT
[#45]
Damn, got the same storm then. Transformer blew down the street.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:43:04 AM EDT
[#46]
Local story from a few days ago. Grenaded this huge Cedar tree.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:45:26 AM EDT
[#47]
Back in 1994 I was working as a assistant superintendent on a golf course. We had a strong line of storms coming in and I was out in a cart telling the crew to head in. The storm was moving a hell of alot faster than we had thought.
As I was heading back up the cart path, about 300 yards from the maintenance building, a bolt hit a oak that was about halfway to the building. It blew the top off and split the trunk. All I saw was a flash of bright red and crack that rang my ears...I drove off the path into a fairway bunker behind a line of trees. The guys in the maintenance building saw the flash and then I was gone. They though the bolt vaporized me, when I recovered my senses, I got out of the bunker and returned to the maintenance building. Needless to say I was a bit rattled and told my boss I was taking the rest of the day off. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:47:18 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Damn I was at a park one time, National Park, can't remember, and there was a picture of two guys who kind of reminded me of Bill & Ted from the movie. Their hair was standing on end and there was a picture of them, they were both killed by lightning a few seconds later. The family allowed the picture and story to be on a poster for safety. Seen that, what ever the cause, there were lots of charges flowing at the high place where they were standing. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:48:17 AM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryThe sound one makes when shitting their pants. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/22/2022 9:58:14 AM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That tree is gone, I have seen this happen. Had an oak get struck 15’ from my house. The striped bark seam was over 5” wide. That was over ten years ago, still alive and growing. Incidentally, thunderstorms just rolled through and electricity is off and on for the last hour. |
|
|
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
