A New York man is thanking God after surviving a terrifying lightning strike that was caught on a doorbell camera — and somehow walking away without a single burn.
Thomas Fahmy, a congressional staffer who works for Rep. Nicole Malliotakis in Staten Island, was heading to a dentist appointment last Thursday when lightning suddenly struck him during a violent storm.
The shocking incident happened along Todt Avenue near Windsor Road in the Castleton Corners neighborhood as Fahmy walked through pouring rain while holding an umbrella.
Doorbell camera footage captured the frightening moment Fahmy suddenly collapsed to the pavement just 15 to 20 feet from his car.
Staten Island man struck by lightning while walking to a dentist appointment.
Thomas Fahmy says he is grateful to be alive and went to church on Sunday to thank God for giving him another chance.
“Once the lightning bolt struck me, the initial sensations that I had throughout… pic.twitter.com/Ns11TGqB23
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 1, 2026
Despite being struck by lightning, Fahmy never lost consciousness.
He later described feeling an intense burning sensation along with tingling, numbness and severe pain in both feet.
Fahmy remained on the ground for several moments before desperately calling out for help.
Neighbor Stefanie Homan heard his screams from inside her home.
“I heard yelling, heard ‘help me, help me,’ so I ran to my door and saw him down here on the ground,” Homan told ABC7.
She immediately grabbed her phone and called 911.
Fahmy was rushed to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, where doctors kept him overnight for observation.
But what doctors found during several examinations was remarkable.
Despite being directly struck by lightning, Fahmy said doctors found no burns or other apparent damage.
“I had multi body exams, no burns at all,” he said.
The grateful survivor said he went to church Sunday to thank God for making it through the frightening ordeal alive.
“I went to church on Sunday to say thank you to God,” Fahmy said.
Malliotakis also expressed relief that her staffer survived.
“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,” she said in a statement.
The congresswoman also thanked the neighbor who came to Fahmy’s aid and the medical staff at Staten Island University Hospital who treated him.
Although getting struck by lightning is extremely rare, surviving one is more common than many people might think.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 90 percent of people struck by lightning survive. The odds of being struck in any given year are less than one in a million.
Lightning still hits the ground across the United States more than 37 million times each year.
One Virginia man, Roy Sullivan, famously survived being struck by lightning seven separate times — a record that earned him worldwide attention.
After Fahmy survived his own incredible encounter, he apparently decided to test just how far his lucky streak might go.
He bought a ticket for Saturday’s $160 million Mega Millions jackpot.
That particular gamble didn’t produce another miracle, however.
Fahmy said the near-death experience has left him with a new appreciation for everyday life.
His advice now is simple.
“Just appreciate life, smile and breathe fresh air once in a while and don’t let life overwhelm you.”
