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Video captures lightning bolt striking Empire State Building

 
A  frame from video provided by Henrik Moltke shows lightning striking the Empire State Building during a storm in New York. Moltke said he saw the storm approaching from his office window and captured the strike by balancing his phone against the glass. [Henrik Moltke via AP]
A frame from video provided by Henrik Moltke shows lightning striking the Empire State Building during a storm in New York. Moltke said he saw the storm approaching from his office window and captured the strike by balancing his phone against the glass. [Henrik Moltke via AP]
Published July 26, 2016

NEW YORK — A stunning video shows a lightning bolt striking the Empire State Building during a storm passing through New York City.

A frame of the video shared by journalist Henrik Moltke shows the bolt striking near the top of the skyscraper Monday.

Moltke says he saw the storm approaching from his office window and captured the strike by balancing his phone against the glass. He says he "was just lucky."

Lightning strikes on the Empire State Building aren't unusual. The building's website says the structure serves as a lightning rod for the surrounding area and is hit by lightning 23 times a year on average.

VIDEO: Lightning bolt strikes Empire State Building

Heavy rains and high winds knocked down trees and powerlines in the New York City area Monday evening.