The Empire State Building is famous for its stunning views, but this one is simply electrifying.
The iconic New York City landmark was struck by lightning during today’s sudden and furious afternoon thunderstorm, seen in this pic snapped by TV host Keith Olbermann and posted to social-media website Mobypicture.
The storm played havoc with the Long Island Rail Road and knocked out power to homes across the metropolitan region. LIRR service between Jamaica Station and the Atlantic Terminal was suspended from around 2:45 p.m. and 4:20 p.m., snarling the plans for commuters eager to start their weekend.
The thunderstorm also dealt a blow to an electric grid already burdened by the summer heat wave, with Consolidated Edison reporting 2,600 customers powerless Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County because of both the storm and the sweltering conditions..
The National Weather Service reported that 0.33 inches of rain fell on central Park throughout the day, and no more is expected tonight.
Accuweather has issued a thunderstorm watch for the city until 9 p.m., delayed tonight’s Subway Series opener between the Yankees and Mets at Citi Field by nearly hour. The game, scheduled for a 7:10 start, began just after 8.
While photos of today’s Empire State Building lightning strike quickly made the rounds on Facebook, Twitter and other social-media sites, such strikes are not unheard of: The 102-story, 1,454-foot-tall building is said to be struck about 100 times each year.
Additional reporting by Jennifer Fermino