The fierce thunderstorm that rolled through New York City and prompted a tornado warning Friday night nearly killed one Brooklyn man.
The 54-year-old was hit by lightning while taking cover beneath a tree in the borough's Crown Heights section as the metropolitan area was walloped by a bout of severe weather, fire officials say.
The strike left the man unconscious on a street divider.
One woman saw the terrifying sight unfold from her home.
"His feet were smoking and he was bleeding from the mouth," 47-year-old Andrea Brown told the Daily News. "It was terrifying."
Officials say a bystander began CPR. Medics who arrived a few minutes later were able to restore the victim's heartbeat.
Last July, a 42-year-old man was struck by lightning on a cricket field as he tried to flee an approaching thunderstorm.
Residents were advised to take shelter as last night's severe storm moved from Pike County in Pennsylvania south east at about 55 miles per hour. The storm was expected to affect Paterson and Newark, N.J., as well as the neighborhoods of Greenpoint, Bay Ridge and Rockaway Beach in Brooklyn and Queens.
There were reports of intense lightning, strong winds and three-quarter inch hail in eastern New Jersey, as well as downed wires, and there were are flood advisories in effect throughout the region.
Today will feature a smothering combination of heat and humidity. High temperatures are expected to peak in the upper 90's Saturday afternoon, and the oppressive humidity will make it feel like 100-105 degrees during the hottest part of the day.
Scattered storms will provide only temporary relief from the sizzling heat, so bring the umbrella along anyway for some shade.
Real relief in the form of a cold front will arrive during the day Sunday, bringing a chance for some showers and storms. By Monday, a drier push of air will make it much more comfortable with temperatures returning to the 80's, with lower humidity.
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