Officials are urging Long Island residents to exercise extreme caution after a man was struck by lightning in North Bellport Wednesday.
Suffolk police say a 34-year-old man was on a ladder installing a fence at Frank P. Long Elementary School when the bolt struck. The man suffered only minor injuries, but officials say he is the 12th Long Islander struck in the last two days. Seven kids received a jolt Tuesday when a bolt of lightning charged the fence they were leaning against at Smith Street Park in Uniondale. In the worst incident, 29-year-old Ramona Garcia-Fernandez and three family members were hit in the water at Shoreham Town Beach. Garcia-Fernandez is in critical condition.
Experts say July is the worst month for lightning strikes. National Weather Service officials say a single bolt of lightning has the electricity to power a 100-watt bulb for three months.
Related information: National Weather Service