3 People Struck By Lightning At Patterson Park: Report

BALTIMORE, MD — Multiple people were reportedly hit by lightning on Saturday in Baltimore. All were hospitalized after the incident, which happened at Patterson Park.

Two children and one adult were struck by lightning near the tennis courts at the park, the Baltimore City Fire Chief told WJZ. The tennis courts are located near the 200 block of South Linwood Avenue in east Baltimore. All of the victims were reportedly in serious condition.

The strike happened before 4 p.m. on Saturday and sent the two youths to the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and one adult to another hospital in the area, The Baltimore Sun reported.

The father and his children — ages 4 and 7 — had recovered and were home by Monday evening, according to WBAL, which reported they had tried to shelter under a tree when the man felt a "bright light" and temporary paralysis.

The odds of being struck by lightning in one's lifetime are 1 in 13,000, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Severe Storms Laboratory.

Researchers say that half of all cloud-to-ground lightning flashes strike multiple points when they hit ground, and people can be injured by being hit directly or by receiving the current indirectly.

"The lightning current can branch off to a person from a tree, fence, pole or other tall object," according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory.

The current may also reach someone using an electrical appliance, plumbing fixture or corded phone if the lightning strikes a power line, pipe or utility pole, officials say. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-third of the people struck by lightning are inside at the time.

Before the lightning strike was reported in Baltimore on Saturday, the National Weather Service had issued a hazardous weather outlook calling for potentially threatening scattered storms that could bring heavy rain to the region through Monday. Spurts of heavy rain rolled through the Baltimore area between approximately 3 and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, Ocean City experienced flash flood conditions, with Coastal Highway underwater for several hours.

RELATED: Flooding In Ocean City, Hazardous Weather Forecast

Lightning Safety Tips

Here are some lightning safety tips from the National Weather Service and the CDC:

Go inside a substantial structure (one with electricity) or in a metal-topped vehicle with windows up; do not stay outside if you hear thunder or see lightning. Thunder means the lightning is close enough to hit you. Remember the saying: "When thunder roars, go indoors." Shelter for at least 30 minutes after hearing thunder.

Avoid the following:

• Trees
• Open spaces like parks, playgrounds, lakes, swimming pools, beaches, golf courses and ponds
• Concrete, which may contain metal wiring
• Open structures like gazebos, porches, baseball dugouts and arenas
• Utility poles

Separate if you are stuck outside in a thunderstorm to reduce the likelihood of multiple people getting injured if the lightning hits one area. Do not lie down.

Pictured, the tennis courts are on the eastern side of Patterson Park, along South Linwood Avenue. Image via Google satellite.