Caught On Video: Lightning Strikes Empire State Building
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A stunning video shows a lightning bolt striking the Empire State Building during a storm passing through New York City.
A frame of the viral video shared by independent journalist Henrik Moltke shows the bolt striking near the top of the skyscraper Monday.
Boom pic.twitter.com/ABCCYwakg3
— Henrik Moltke (@moltke) July 25, 2016
Moltke says he saw the storm approaching from his office window and captured the strike by balancing his phone against the glass. He says he "was just lucky."
The video has received more than 140,000 views since it was posted July 25.
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Lightning strikes on the Empire State Building aren't unusual. The building's website says the structure serves as a lightning rod for the surrounding area and is hit by lightning 23 times a year on average.
Staggering temperatures and powerful summer thunderstorms have slammed the Tri-State area through the last week, bringing on damage, downed trees, flooding, power outages and uncomfortable conditionsfor residents.
A heat advisory is still in effect in the New York City area until 6 p.m. Tuesday.
High temperatures are expected to climb into the high 80s and low 90s across much of the state through Thursday before more moderate weather arrives Friday.
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