Lightning takes out tree near high school in Vancouver

By KATU.com Staff and Emily Sinovic KATU News Published: May 25, 2012 at 8:57 PM PDT Last Updated: May 25, 2012 at 11:36 PM PDT
Lightning takes out tree near high school in Vancouver »Play Video
A lightning strike took out this tree near Hudson's Bay High School Friday. (Photo: Emily Sinovic/KATU News)

VANCOUVER, Wash. – A 100-foot tree took a direct hit during a lightning storm Friday evening near Hudson's Bay High School.

The pictures really tell the story. The tree was completely shattered by the lightning strike, leaving pieces of it scattered as far as 200 yards away.

According to police, when the lightning struck the tree it caught fire. A branch fell on a car driving by on Mill Plain, damaging the windshield. The driver was not hurt.

Neighbors said they heard a loud boom, and the ground shook.

The tree is located at Mill Plain and East Reserve.

Reports of lightning and thunder popped up from around the Portland Metro region, especially in Southwest Washington.

KATU Reporter Dan Tilkin shot the two video clips below of lightning in Orchards as a storm rolled through that area.