photo courtesy of Dumont Volunteer Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
DUMONT, NJ – July 14, 2025 — Dumont Volunteer Fire Department responded to a lightning strike at a home on Davies Avenue while the area was under a Flash Flood Warning. Firefighters urged residents to remain cautious and avoid navigating flooded roadways.
This incident is the latest in a string of extreme weather events across New Jersey this summer, marked by torrential rain, dangerous flash floods, widespread power outages, and multiple lightning strikes — some of them fatal.
New Jersey Hit Hard by Summer Storms
On July 16, tragedy struck Jackson, NJ, when a lightning bolt killed one person and injured 14 others at an outdoor archery range during a storm. Just a week earlier, on July 8, a 28-year-old man from Franklin Lakes was hospitalized after being struck by lightning while golfing at Ballyowen Golf Club.
In June 2024, a man from Manchester was fatally struck by lightning in Seaside Park. These incidents serve as stark reminders of the danger lightning poses, especially during summer months when thunderstorms are more frequent due to heat and humidity.
Lightning Safety: What You Need to Know
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that while the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are less than one in a million, lightning strikes can — and do — happen. Between 2006 and 2021, lightning strikes caused 444 deaths across the United States.
How to Stay Safe During a Lightning Storm
When Outdoors:
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Avoid open fields, hills, and isolated trees.
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Stay away from water and metal objects (fences, poles, equipment).
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Spread out if you’re in a group to minimize risk of multiple injuries.
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Find low ground like ravines or valleys if no shelter is available.
When Indoors:
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Stay off corded phones and avoid using electrical equipment.
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Don’t touch plumbing, including sinks, showers, and faucets.
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Avoid concrete floors or walls which may contain conductive metal.
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Keep pets inside, and never rely on dog houses or metal chains for protection.
Understanding Lightning: Myths vs. Facts
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Myth: Lying flat on the ground will protect you.
Fact: This increases your risk from ground current. Seek shelter immediately. -
Myth: Metal attracts lightning.
Fact: Height, shape, and isolation matter more. Metal conducts but doesn’t attract. -
Myth: You’re safe under a tree.
Fact: Trees are a leading cause of lightning-related deaths. -
Myth: Rubber tires protect you in a car.
Fact: It’s the metal frame of a hard-topped vehicle that provides safety, not the tires. -
Myth: You can’t help a lightning victim.
Fact: Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge. Administer first aid immediately. -
Myth: Lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice.
Fact: Lightning frequently strikes the same location—especially tall structures like the Empire State Building.
How to Calculate Lightning Distance
Count the seconds between a lightning flash and the sound of thunder. Divide that number by 5 to get the distance in miles, or by 3 for kilometers.
Example: 15 seconds = 3 miles away.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe
As extreme weather events become more common, New Jersey residents are urged to stay informed and prepare for sudden storms. Before heading outdoors, always check the forecast and know where to seek shelter.
The Dumont Fire Department continues to respond swiftly and effectively, but public cooperation is essential. Never drive through flooded roads, and take lightning warnings seriously.
Let this summer serve as a reminder: lightning safety is not just common sense — it can save lives.
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