During the thunderstorm that swept through Manhattan, New York on Wednesday night, the Empire State Building was struck by lightning, resulting in a captivating moment captured by photographer Gary Hershorn.
The Empire State Building’s official Twitter page, now known as X, shared an image of the thunderbolt hitting the structure, which was illuminated in red, accompanied by the caption “OUCH.” Gary also shared several images on X, stating that the iconic building was struck multiple times during the thunderstorm.
According to the Empire State Building’s website, the antenna is struck by lightning an average of 25 times per year. This renowned landmark, with its 103 floors and 1,860 stairs leading to the observation deck on the 102nd floor, is not only the oldest but also one of the tallest structures in New York City. Its completion dates back to 1931.
The Empire State Building’s impressive height, Art Deco architecture, and expansive observation decks have made it a popular tourist attraction. Designed by the prominent architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, it currently ranks 54th globally, ninth in the United States, and seventh in New York City among completed skyscrapers as of 2024.
Another notable structure, One World Trade Centre, was also struck by lightning during the same thunderstorm, with images and videos of the incident circulating on X.
According to the FOX Forecast Centre, a total of 174 lightning bolts were observed in the greater New York City metro region during the storm, including the one that struck the Empire State Building. Additionally, Fox Weather reported that an individual sustained injuries when lightning hit the Manhattan building they were in.
The rods serve to safeguard the buildings from lightning strikes, contrary to popular belief. However, it is common for lightning to hit the tallest structures in the vicinity, like these towers, as reported by The Post.
