Watch: Lightning strikes Empire State Building

  • 27/07/2016
Watch: Lightning strikes Empire State Building

A stunning video shows a lightning bolt striking the Empire State Building during a storm passing through New York City.

The video, shared by journalist Henrik Moltke, shows the bolt striking near the top of the skyscraper on Monday (local time).

Mr 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".

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.

Heavy rains and high winds knocked down trees and powerlines in the New York City area Monday evening.

AP