Staten Island Man Survives Direct Lightning Strike — “I’m Blessed to Be Alive”

Did Man's Umbrella Cause Him To Get Struck By Lightning?

A Staten Island man is sharing his extraordinary story of survival after being struck by lightning in a rare moment captured entirely on video. Thomas Fahmy, a congressional staffer for Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, was walking toward his car during Thursday’s severe storms when a bolt of lightning hit him just feet from his vehicle, sending him collapsing to the ground in agony.

A nearby surveillance camera recorded the exact moment the strike occurred — a flash of white light followed by Fahmy dropping instantly to the pavement. NBC News’ Erin McLaughlin later spoke with Fahmy, who described the terrifying sensations that surged through his body.

⚡ “A Burning Sensation… Severe Pain in My Feet”

Fahmy said he felt an intense shock, followed by burning, tingling, numbness, and severe pain, especially in both feet. Despite the violent jolt, he never lost consciousness and managed to get back on his feet, limping toward a nearby home while yelling for help.

Neighbor Stephanie Homan heard his cries and immediately called 911.

“I heard ‘help me, help me,’ so I ran to my door and saw him on the ground,” she told local reporters.

🏥 Hospitalized Overnight — No Burns Found

Emergency responders rushed Fahmy to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, where doctors monitored him overnight. In a rare outcome for lightning strike victims, he suffered no visible burns or major injuries, something doctors described as astonishing.

Fahmy said he was only about 15–25 feet from his car and on his way to a dentist appointment when the lightning struck.

🙏 Faith, Gratitude — and a New Outlook on Life

Fahmy, who calls himself a man of faith, said the experience has changed him.

“Just appreciate life… smile and breathe fresh air once in a while and don’t let life overwhelm you,” he said.

He also told reporters he believes he survived “by grace”, saying there’s a good chance he wouldn’t be here today if not for divine protection.

In the days following the strike, Fahmy even bought a lottery ticket, joking that after surviving a lightning bolt, maybe luck was on his side.

🌩️ A Surge in Lightning Incidents Nationwide

The Staten Island strike occurred during a period of unusually active and dangerous thunderstorms across the U.S. Recent incidents include:

A father in Florida killed while jet skiing
A mother and toddler fatally struck in Margate, Florida
Multiple severe lightning injuries reported nationwide

Lightning strikes hit the ground about 37 million times per year in the U.S., but the odds of being struck remain less than one in a million, and nearly 90% of victims survive.

🎥 Watch the Moment Fahmy Is Struck

The dramatic video of the lightning strike — showing Fahmy collapsing instantly — can be viewed here:

👉 YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/JwRuBn5_Wbc?si=AV9ENjU5l28THib7

The odds of being struck by lightning are less than one in a million, but it happened to New Yorker Thomas Fahmy. Fahmy, who works as a GOP congressional staffer, was walking in the rain when he was hit by a bolt of electricity. He survived, and he tells Inside Edition’s Justin Finch it may have been his umbrella that attracted the lightning. The draw-dropping brush with danger was caught on camera.