An Australian boy was taken to hospital after he suffered an electric shock when lightning struck near his home during severe storms around 7 p.m. on Feb. 11 .
The boy from south-east Queensland was showering at the time, according to the Queensland Ambulance Service.
Meanwhile, the state has been battered by powerful storms which still has more than 46,000 residents without electricity as of noon, Feb. 12 following widespread blackouts.
According to the Queensland government’s electric power distribution company Energex, more than 265,000 lightning strikes and high winds affected a total of 130,000 homes across south-east Queensland.
“There was enormous damage, we had over 400 wires on the ground and at the moment that’s down to around 280,” he told the TODAY Show.
“If people do find wires down, always treat them as live,” he added.
Jordan urges residents to be careful when cleaning debris and call 13 19 62 immediately if they spot damaged or fallen power lines.
Further Severe Storms Forecasted
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has forecasted further severe storms for south-east Queensland “with damaging to destructive winds and large hail likely.”
The BOM recorded wind speeds of up to 111 km/h (68 mph) during yesterday’s storm which brought down large trees. The storm also dumped hailstones the size of tennis balls, reported 9News.
While severe storms are pummeling south-east Queensland, the rest of the state is experiencing prolonged severe-to-extreme heatwaves with temperatures well about the February average.
Queensland Health has encouraged people to take the necessary precautions to stay safe against heat-related illnesses.
“Heat-related illness can be incredibly serious and even life-threatening, which is why it’s important to take the necessary precautions and know the warning signs,” a Queensland Health spokesperson said in the statement.
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