Lightning strikes are rare yet powerful phenomena that can dramatically alter lives — sometimes not just once, but multiple times. And this is the part most people overlook: the risk is real, even if we believe it’s a one-in-a-million chance. Jeanne Barnes’s extraordinary story illustrates that reality perfectly.
In the remote town of Kununurra, located in the northern Kimberley region of Western Australia, Jeanne Barnes shivers at the very mention of approaching storms. Her simple rule? "If lightning is in the sky, I sprint inside the house." She admits with a hint of dread, "I don't believe for a second it's going to be third time lucky."
Remarkably, Jeanne is among an incredibly small group of individuals — often cited as roughly one in nine million — who have been struck by lightning not once, but twice in their lifetime. Her first encounter occurred at the tender age of 12 while living in South Africa, in an old, tin-roofed house perched atop a hill. That day, she was on a telephone call, her faithful fox terrier Lulu curled comfortably on her lap.
"I was just chatting with my friend when suddenly, it felt like someone had hit me across the side of my head with a large wooden plank," Jeanne recalls. The impact was so intense that Lulu was jolted and thrown from her lap. "I’m not sure whether I bumped into the wall or was actually thrown back," she added. The experience left her with a ringing ear for a while and a vivid, painful memory. Lulu, her beloved pet, developed a fear of thunder following the incident, barking uncontrollably whenever storms approached.
Does lightning tend to strike the same place twice? While common wisdom suggests otherwise, Jeanne's experience proves otherwise. The myth of “lightning never strikes the same place twice” is simply not true — lightning can hit the same spot multiple times, especially if that place or object is a tall, conductive feature.
Years later, at 18, Jeanne faced her second encounter amidst a thunderstorm when the family's landline phone rang. She instinctively hesitated, knowing the dangers of using a phone during a storm. Her quick decision? "I thought maybe I could just answer, tell him I’d call back because of the lightning, then hang up," she explains.
Despite her cautious approach, the second strike was even more powerful. It launched her against a wall and temporarily robbed her hearing. "I screamed to my parents, ‘My ear, my ear!’" she recounts, worried that her eardrum might have been burnt away. Interestingly, this second incident didn’t deter Jeanne from her relationship, but it did heighten her awareness of thunderstorms.
Did you know that worldwide, lightning strikes about 8 million times daily—that’s roughly 44 strikes every second? Jessica Lingard from the Bureau of Meteorology explains that each year, lightning causes approximately 100 serious injuries and 5 to 10 fatalities globally. While the chances of being struck are extremely low for any individual, the risk is very real. "If you can hear thunder, you're close enough to be hit," Lingard emphasizes.
Certain regions face higher risks due to frequent thunderstorms, especially during the wet season. The tropical north of Australia, including Darwin, is known as the lightning capital, experiencing numerous thunderstorms annually. The Kimberley region’s thunderstorms are spectacular and frequent, increasing the likelihood of lightning strikes.
So how can people reduce their chances of a lethal or damaging strike? Jessica Lingard points out that lightning is quite “lazy,” meaning it always takes the easiest path to the ground. Tall objects like buildings, trees, or even flagpoles tend to attract lightning because they offer a high point. Therefore, shielding yourself often involves avoiding such prominent features during storms.
Moreover, she warns against using landline phones during thunderstorms because the wiring can conduct electricity. Holding onto a landline phone during lightning activity can be dangerous since the electrical charge can travel through the phone line into your body.
Jeanne Barnes’s life-changing experience in the 1980s is a stark reminder of how unpredictable and dangerous thunderstorms can be. What started as a fearful story of lightning’s power became a lifelong lesson in caution. Despite that, Jeanne humorously refers to her story as "my good story," highlighting how such dramatic moments can become part of our personal narrative.
Would you take extra precautions during storms after hearing these stories? Or do you believe the chances are too slim to worry about? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments — let’s discuss the fine line between caution and superstition when it comes to lightning safety.
