MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – This week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri and Illinois.
Tornadoes, hail and high winds get the headlines most of the time, but lightning is unquestionably one of the most underrated weather hazards out there. It can be beautiful; it can be mesmerizing! However, every single bolt of lightning from even the smallest, weakest of storms makes that storm a potential killer—one that far too many people ignore.
Tara McNeal of Maryland Heights fought back tears as she shared memories of her nephew, Raymond, with FOX 2 earlier this week. Raymond was struck and killed by lightning while out doing something he loved.
“He loved hunting, fishing, he loved football. He loved golf,” McNeal said.
Tragedy struck while he was out playing a round of golf near Atlanta last September.
”They had just finished up the first hole and kind of heard thunder. His friend said he pulled out his radar and it looked like it was a few towns over… and then it started pouring and hailing…they took off running,” McNeal said. “When they got to the clubhouse, they started looking around and yelling for him. They ran back and they found him down the hill.”
The lightning had struck Raymond. A bolt so strong it tore the clothes from his body.
He lay lifeless in the pouring rain when his friends found him and began to immediately administer CPR. Soon after, he was rushed to the hospital. After three days of fighting, Raymond passed away on Sept. 15.
Raymond was killed by a single bolt of lightning.
Raymond’s brother, Cole, lives with his aunt here in St. Louis. He wants the story of his big brother to serve as a warning to everyone about the threat that typical thunderstorms pose.
”Not a lot of people do take it seriously because they never think it will happen to them,” Cole said.
Tara and Cole approached FOX 2 about doing this story out of concern for the approaching outdoor sports seasons.
“I’m guilty of being one of those parents… sitting in the stands and I don’t want to go to my car,” McNeal said. “It’s not worth it. It’s not. Your life is not worth finishing that game. Don’t take that chance.”
To assist organizations and businesses like golf courses, soccer clubs, pools and baseball and softball leagues, the National Weather Service has developed a special online toolkit. The toolkit is designed to help develop a comprehensive lighting safety plan.
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