Lightning, Chester
- When
- July 1, 4:45 PM EST
- Where
- Chester County, Phoenixville
- Reported by
- NEWSPAPER
- Coordinates
- 39.973, -75.748 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Lightning Strike in Pennsylvania, July 1, 2001
For the third time in his life, a 73-year-old Phoenixville man was struck and injured by lightning. The gentleman was securing his family property from the storm when lightning struck a tree seven feet from where he was standing.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 1
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
What happened
The episode as NWS PHI wrote it up.
For the third time in his life, a 73-year-old Phoenixville man was struck and injured by lightning. The gentleman was securing his family property from the storm when lightning struck a tree seven feet from where he was standing. The lightning stripped the tree of its bark and knocked him to the ground.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 1, 1:54 PM EST, 2 hours 51 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 1, 1:54 PM EST, 2 hours 51 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 254 PM EDT SUN JUL 1 2001 ANOTHER SVR TSTM WATCH WILL BE ISSUED VERY SHORTLY...SO BRIEFLY INSOFAR AS THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ETA AND AVN WE WILL GO WITH THE AVN. IT IS A BIT QUICKER WITH THE FRONT AND SO FAR THAT HAS BEEN VERIFYING. WE HAVE LKLY POPS S AND A CHC IN A BUFFER ZONE THRU PHL FOR THIS EVENING...THEN CLEARING AND COOLER AND DRY THROUGH TUE. TEMPS A BLEND OF CONTINUITY...GUIDANCE AND LOCAL SCHEMES. DID RADIATE US OUT A BIT ON MON NIGHT. SCA GOING UP THIS PACKAGE. HEAT ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE AFTN PD...AND CLEARLY WILL NOT REISSUE. .PHI...SCA COAST AND DE BAY. MPD
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 1, 11:13 AM EST, 5 hours 32 minutes before
DEZ001-NJZ001-007>010-015>019-PAZ054-055-060>062-067>071-012200- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 1213 PM EDT SUN JUL 1 2001 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT... A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: IN PENNSYLVANIA BERKS...BUCKS...CARBON...CHESTER...DELAWARE...LEHIGH...MONROE... MONTGOMERY...NORTHAMPTON...PHILADELPHIA. IN NEW JERSEY BURLINGTON...CAMDEN...GLOUCESTER...HUNTERDON...MERCER...MORRIS... SALEM...SOMERSET...SUSSEX...WARREN. IN DELAWARE NEW CASTLE. REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THUNDERSTORMS WHICH CONTAIN DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH AND HAIL 3/4 INCH OR GREATER IN DIAMETER IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND VERY HEAVY RAIN MAY ALSO ACCOMPANY ANY THUNDERSTORMS. SKYWARN ACTIVATION IS REQUESTED. MPD
Special weather statement, Jul 1, 2:25 PM EST, 2 hours 20 minutes before
DEZ001-NJZ001-007>010-012>019-PAZ054-055-060>062-067>071-012200- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 325 PM EDT SUN JUL 1 2001 A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: IN NEW JERSEY MIDDLESEX AND MONMOUTH. ALSO...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: IN PENNSYLVANIA BERKS...BUCKS...CARBON...CHESTER...DELAWARE...LEHIGH...MONROE... MONTGOMERY...NORTHAMPTON...PHILADELPHIA. IN NEW JERSEY BURLINGTON...CAMDEN...GLOUCESTER...HUNTERDON...MERCER...MORRIS... SALEM...SOMERSET...SUSSEX...WARREN. IN DELAWARE NEW CASTLE. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWS MULTIPLE LINES OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN NEW JERSEY. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING EAST AT AROUND 30 MPH AND HAVE ALREADY PRODUCED NUMEROUS REPORTS OF HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. EVEN IF THUNDERSTORMS HAVE ALREADY PASSED THROUGH YOUR AREA...STAY ALERT FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF MORE SEVERE WEATHER. REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THUNDERSTORMS WHICH CONTAIN DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH AND HAIL 3/4 INCH OR GREATER IN DIAMETER IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND VERY HEAVY RAIN MAY ALSO ACCOMPANY ANY THUNDERSTORMS. SKYWARN ACTIVATION IS REQUESTED. AMC
Special weather statement, Jul 1, 2:25 PM EST, 2 hours 20 minutes before
DEZ001-NJZ001-007>010-012>019-PAZ054-055-060>062-067>071-012200- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 325 PM EDT SUN JUL 1 2001 A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: IN PENNSYLVANIA BERKS...BUCKS...CHESTER...DELAWARE...LEHIGH...MONTGOMERY... NORTHAMPTON...PHILADELPHIA. IN NEW JERSEY ATLANTIC INCLUDING THE COAST...BURLINGTON...CAMDEN...CAPE MAY INCLUDING THE COAST...CUMBERLAND...GLOUCESTER...HUNTERDON... MERCER...MIDDLESEX...MONMOUTH INCLUDING THE COAST...MORRIS... OCEAN INCLUDING THE COAST...SALEM...SOMERSET...WARREN. IN DELAWARE KENT...NEW CASTLE...SUSSEX. IN MARYLAND CAROLINE...KENT...QUEEN ANNE/S...TALBOT. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWS MULTIPLE LINES OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN NEW JERSEY. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING EAST AT AROUND 30 MPH AND HAVE ALREADY PRODUCED NUMEROUS REPORTS OF HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. EVEN IF THUNDERSTORMS HAVE ALREADY PASSED THROUGH YOUR AREA...STAY ALERT FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF MORE SEVERE WEATHER. REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THUNDERSTORMS WHICH CONTAIN DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH AND HAIL 3/4 INCH OR GREATER IN DIAMETER IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND VERY HEAVY RAIN MAY ALSO ACCOMPANY ANY THUNDERSTORMS. SKYWARN ACTIVATION IS REQUESTED. AMC/MPD CORRECTED COUNTIES AND EXPIRATION TIME.
Local storm report, Jul 1, 2:40 PM EST, 2 hours 5 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY/NEW JERSEY
340 PM EDT SUN JUL 1 2001
TIME(EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
0135 PM HAMBURG PA WIND DAMAGE
07/01/01 BERKS TREES AND WIRES DOWN.
0210 PM NORTH WHITEHALL TWP PA WIND DAMAGE
07/01/01 LEHIGH TREES DOWN BLOCKING
THE ROAD.
0300 PM SOUTHERN PART OF COUNTY NJ WIND DAMAGE
07/01/01 WARREN TREES DOWN. HOUSE HIT BY
LIGHTNING.
0315 PM HOLLAND TWP NJ 1.75 INCH HAIL
07/0101 HUNTERDON
AMCSpecial weather statement, Jul 1, 3:50 PM EST, 55 minutes before
DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>026-PAZ054-055- 060>062-067>071-020100- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 450 PM EDT SUN JUL 1 2001 THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: IN PENNSYLVANIA CARBON AND MONROE. IN NEW JERSEY SUSSEX. A NEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: IN NEW JERSEY OCEAN...ATLANTIC...CUMBERLAND...CAPE MAY. IN DELAWARE KENT AND SUSSEX. IN MARYLAND CECIL...KENT...QUEEN ANNES...CAROLINE...TALBOT. AND...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: IN PENNSYLVANIA BERKS...BUCKS...CHESTER...DELAWARE...LEHIGH... MONTGOMERY...NORTHAMPTON...PHILADELPHIA. IN NEW JERSEY BURLINGTON...CAMDEN...GLOUCESTER...HUNTERDON...MERCER... MIDDLESEX...MONMOUTH...MORRIS...SALEM...SOMERSET...WARREN. IN DELAWARE NEW CASTLE. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWS A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING ACROSS EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN NEW JERSEY. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING EAST AT AROUND 30 MPH AND HAVE ALREADY PRODUCED NUMEROUS REPORTS OF HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THUNDERSTORMS WHICH CONTAIN DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH AND HAIL 3/4 INCH OR GREATER IN DIAMETER IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND VERY HEAVY RAIN MAY ALSO ACCOMPANY ANY THUNDERSTORMS. SKYWARN ACTIVATION IS REQUESTED. AMC
The radar
The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 114 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:45 UTC.
Event by event
1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
What these are
- Lightning
- A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Drought in Michigan, July 1 to 31, 2001
- Heat in Pennsylvania, July 1, 2001
- Rip Current in Michigan, July 1, 2001
- Damaging Winds and Lightning Strikes in Maryland, July 1, 2001
- Hail and Damaging Winds in New York, July 1, 2001
- Tropical Storm in Guam, July 1 to 3, 2001
- Flash Flooding and Hail in Texas, July 1, 2001
- Wildfire in Alaska, July 1 to 7, 2001
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Massachusetts, July 1, 2001
- Tornado in Florida, July 1, 2001
- Flood in Minnesota, July 1 to 31, 2001
- Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in West Virginia, July 1, 2001
More
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2001Every state in 2001This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, July 2001
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5260082.