SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WECT) – Not one, not two, but three homes and a church were all struck by lightning on Monday near Southport and Oak Island.
That’s where some of the most powerful storms passed through the Cape Fear region Monday afternoon.
For the Pipkin family, their vacation in Caswell Beach started with a bang, quite literally, when their beach house was struck by lightning.
“For like five solid seconds the ground just shook beneath us,” said one of the family’s children.
Margaret Pipkin was home with the children when the lightning hit.
“I heard the big boom and the house shake and I looked out the window and sparks were flying all around,” said Pipkin.
They weren’t the only ones who experienced the lightning strike.
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A church and two other homes were struck in Southport just minutes away from each other on East Moore Street and North Atlantic Avenue.
The homes mostly saw roof damage. One home’s chimney was destroyed and collapsed. As for the church, it has some electrical damage.
Luckily, no one was hurt.
Alain Huin lives across the street from the home on East Moore Street that was hit. He says he didn’t see it happen, but he heard it loud and clear.
“We heard about three huge booms,” said Huin.
Southport Fire Chief Charles Drew says lightning strikes aren’t too uncommon, but three homes and a church all struck in the same day are.
“Today’s storm was pretty severe, the lightning was pretty fierce,” said Chief Drew. “We don’t normally have this many that are struck by lightning at one time.”
It’s something Huin can’t believe and the Pipkin family will never forget.
“Definitely a surprise. It gives the kids something to talk about for years to come,” said Pipkin.
Chief Drew says there are ways to protect you and your home from lightning strikes. He says to unplug appliances during severe storm threats and stay inside.
Additionally, you can install a total surge protection to safeguard your appliances or install lightning rods.
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