Shocking Footage: NJ Deliveryman's Harrowing Near-Miss with Lightning Strike

A deliveryman in New Jersey experienced a harrowing close call when he narrowly missed being struck by lightning while on duty during a severe thunderstorm that swept across the tri-state area on Monday night. The dramatic incident was captured on a home's surveillance footage as the man was in the process of dropping off food. The sky was already heavy with thick black clouds as the deliveryman emerged from his vehicle and ascended the steps to the front stoop, carefully balancing a brown paper bag in one hand.

Suddenly, a powerful bolt of lightning struck in the yard, prompting the deliveryman to shout and duck closer to the door upon hearing the accompanying thunderclap, all while still clutching the food delivery. He visibly jolted from the impact of the thunder and looked back at the front yard in pure shock. Despite the terrifying experience, he managed to make the delivery, quipping with a chuckle, "I thought that was going to hit me." Once the door was shut, he swiftly returned to his car, completely unscathed.

This individual incident was part of a broader pattern of volatile weather that impacted New York and New Jersey on Monday, resulting in disastrous flooding that claimed two lives. New York City, in particular, endured its second-wettest hour ever recorded, triggering a freak flash flood that transformed the FDR Drive into an extension of the East River. Amidst the chaos, one person even managed to capture footage of a lightning bolt striking the top of the One World Trade Center at the very onset of the storm.

The extreme weather conditions persisted throughout the week. Tragically, another lightning bolt struck an archery club meeting in New Jersey on Wednesday, killing an instructor and injuring 13 boys. One of the injured boys remains in shock, having been literally knocked out of his shoes and socks, which were decimated by the lightning strike.