The incident occurred on a farm in McCook County, South Dakota, on Wednesday, according to reports from the local county sheriff’s office. The farmer will be at an estimated loss of $45,000 (€40,267).On its Facebook page, Moody County Sheriff’s Office in Flandreau, South Dakota, posted the following:
The incident occurred on a farm in McCook County, South Dakota, on Wednesday, according to reports from the local county sheriff’s office. The farmer will be at an estimated loss of $45,000 (€40,267).
On its Facebook page, Moody County Sheriff’s Office in Flandreau, South Dakota, posted the following:
“This is a very strong reminder of what lightning can do. This was somewhere in McCook County last night. There is 21 head of cattle that were around this metal bale feeder when it was hit with one bolt of lightning and it killed them all. That is about $45,000 worth of loss.
“As the severe weather starts to roll in this summer, please keep this in mind. If you start to see lightning and hear thunder, you need to get out of the open. Off of the lakes, off of the golf course etc so that you are safe. And standing under a tree is not a safe place either. Have a safe and enjoyable summer just be aware of your surroundings and keep something with you to stay updated on the weather!!”
Similar accident in Ireland
In 2014, a similiar incident occurred in Co Waterford when 23 cattle were struck by a freak bolt of lightning.
The animals were taking shelter under a tree during stormy weather when lightning struck another tree in the field. The current passed underground to the tree under which the cattle were huddled, electrocuting 23 of the farmer’s commercial stock, most of which were Charolais crosses.
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