GOP Staffer Survives Lightning Strike in Staten Island

<p>A GOP congressional staffer survived a lightning strike near his dentist's office in Staten Island on Thursday.</p> <p>Thomas Fahmy, who works for Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), was walking on Todt Avenue in the Castleton Corners neighborhood when lightning struck, as reported by the New York Post. Fahmy, who was carrying an umbrella at the time, stated that he felt the bolt go through him and immediately dropped to the ground.</p> <p>“I was nearly 15, 20 feet away from my car when I was struck by lightning,” he told local NBC News affiliate WNBC, adding that he remained conscious throughout the incident. “It was a very intense burning sensation, tingling, numbness, pain. Severe pain in both of my feet.”</p> <p>Fahmy described the sensation as something he had never felt before, stating that his feet became so numb that he felt as though he was walking on balloons.</p> <p>After being struck, Fahmy expressed concern about the possibility of being struck again due to the unpredictable weather. “By that point, I was scared that I would be struck again by lightning,” he said. “That’s how unpredictable and really bad the weather was on that Thursday... I think it’s not luck — I think [I’m] blessed. There’s a good chance that I wouldn’t be here now, but because of grace, by grace, I’m here.”</p> <p>Fahmy called for help from the sidewalk and attracted the attention of a neighbor, Stefanie Homan, who saw him on the ground and immediately called 911.</p> <p>While the chances of being struck by lightning are less than one in a million, the survival rate for those struck is around 90%. Most survivors typically suffer burns, but Fahmy reported no burns after multiple examinations. “No burns. I had multiple body exams, no burns at all,” he told WABC. “I went [to] church Sunday to say thank you, God.”</p> <p>After an uneventful night in the hospital for observation, Fahmy was discharged. However, his luck did not extend to a lottery ticket purchased on Saturday, which did not win. Rep. Malliotakis expressed relief at his recovery, stating, “We are happy, grateful, and relieved that Thomas, a valued member of our Staten Island office, is alive and well after being struck by lightning last week. We appreciate the good Samaritan and medical staff at Staten Island University Hospital who helped him get emergency care.”</p>