A terrifying lightning strike at an Ohio correctional facility sent at least 16 inmates to hospitals Tuesday evening, prompting authorities to declare a mass casualty incident as powerful storms hammered the state.
The frightening scene unfolded at the Grafton Reintegration Center, where incarcerated individuals were reportedly walking from one building to another after a meal when lightning struck nearby.
Early reports indicated eight people had been injured, but that number quickly doubled as emergency crews arrived and began evaluating patients.
At least 16 inmates were ultimately transported to area hospitals, according to WKYC.
Officials said the injuries were considered non-life-threatening overall, although several patients were reportedly described as being in critical condition in the immediate aftermath of the strike.
Ambulances from Lorain, Medina and Cuyahoga counties rushed to the correctional facility shortly before 6 p.m., while University Hospitals locations in Elyria and Westlake were warned to prepare for incoming patients.
“The call that we originally got was five patients apparently struck by lightning. That was how it came in to us,” LifeCare Ambulance COO Kim Mason told The Chronicle.
“That came in at about 5.30pm. What I can say is since then we have transported multiple patients from the facility, and a few of them were critical. I don’t have anything else on their condition at this time.”
The shocking incident came as Ohio was being battered by dangerous storms and severe flooding that had already turned deadly elsewhere in the state.
In Roseville, roughly 50 miles east of Columbus, one person died after suffering a medical emergency while raging floodwaters reportedly prevented first responders from reaching them.
The small community of about 1,500 residents was nearly surrounded by water, with only one road remaining usable, according to 13ABC.
The Ohio National Guard’s High Water Rescue Unit was expected to deploy to Roseville and nearby Crooksville as emergency crews struggled with the worsening conditions.
Gov. Mike DeWine had already signed an emergency declaration for Perry and Muskingum counties Monday and later confirmed that one person had died amid the flooding.
Parts of Ohio were inundated with several feet of water as the storm system moved through the region.
The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for the Grafton area beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday and lasting through 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The agency warns that anyone who hears thunder should immediately seek shelter inside a substantial building or vehicle and remain there for at least 30 minutes after the final rumble of thunder.
Even indoors, people are advised to avoid corded phones, computers and electrical equipment that could provide a path for electricity during a lightning storm.
Anyone caught outdoors should avoid isolated trees, bodies of water and objects that can conduct electricity while attempting to reach safe shelter as quickly as possible.
Authorities had not immediately released additional information on the inmates’ conditions or exactly how close the lightning strike was to the group.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and local emergency agencies were contacted for additional information as officials continued assessing the aftermath of the dramatic storm.
