1994 — June 16, Lightning, Lake Moomaw, Bath County, VA — 5

— 5  Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes Update 1992-1995. 1997.

— 5  Virginia Dept. of Emer. Mgmt. Thunderstorms and Lightning. “Virginia Lightning History.”

Narrative Information

Grazulis: “Five family members on a boating trip sought shelter from a storm in a grove of tall pines on an island. The family members included two men 44 and 63 years of age, two women, 37 and 63 years of age, and a child of 10 years, which were all killed when a bolt of lightning struck a nearby tree. The badly burned bodies were found the next day by a fisherman.” (Grazulis. Tornadoes 1997. p. 1429.)

VA DEM: “June 16 , 1994: A family was enjoying the afternoon on Lake Moomaw in Bath County when a sudden thunderstorm approached. They took refuge on a small island only 300 by 100 yards wide, which provided little protection. They sought shelter under some tall pines, the tallest objects around for some distance. Lightning struck the pines killing the entire family of five instantly.”

Sources

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes Update 1992-1995. St. Johnsbury, VE: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films, January 1997, 128 pages.

Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Thunderstorms and Lightning. “Virginia Lightning History.” Accessed 2-27-2016 at: http://www.vaemergency.gov/news/history/thunderstorms-lightning