Watch lightning strike Empire State Building

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Screengrab from video taken ny journalist Henrik Moltke of a lightning bolt striking the Empire State Building during a storm passing through New York City on Monday. CREDIT: HENRIK MOLTKE

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

Journalist Henrik Moltke shared the video and several photos on social media.

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.

 

 

With the Associated Press