Two men have close call with lightning during last weekend's storms

As Nate McDonald and his brother Brennan headed out last weekend to get photographs of the intense storm system that passed through the area, they had no idea what they were about to experience.

“This was probably one of the stronger storms I’ve ever shot photos in,” said McDonald. “I’ve never seen one change directions like this before.”

The duo headed out of Kimball towards the W Ranch, and believed they were a safe distance from the worst of the storm, when suddenly the situation changed.

“All of the sudden, the direction changed, the wind picked up, and next thing I know, the storm was right on top of us.”

Despite the rapidly worsening conditions, McDonald set up his tripod, and ran back to his vehicle to get his camera. As he approached the tripod, a flash of lightning struck it, with he and his brother standing no more than ten feet away.

“It struck down, hit the tripod, and shocked me and my brother, knocked us both down,” said McDonald. “It felt like a brick hitting you on the head.”

Afterwards, the brothers talked to medical professionals, who cleared them both, given their lack of side effects from the close call.

When they returned to the spot to try and find the tripod, they found no sign of their equipment, and are unsure whether someone may have taken it or whether the lightning destroyed it.

“We tried to go back and find it, but we couldn’t find anything at all,” said McDonald.

When the weather turns sour once again, McDonald says he’ll be back out there, getting more shots of the weather the area has to offer, despite the events of last weekend.

“I’m not going to get any lightning shots from a basement, am I?”