Man in critical condition after lightning strike in Wake County

A man was hurt Saturday afternoon when a bolt of lightning struck the ground near him in southeast Raleigh during an intense pop-up thunderstorm, at least the second person in the Triangle this month to be struck by lightning.

Gerardo Hernandez Rivera, 41, was rushed for medical treatment to WakeMed, where he underwent a surgical procedure after the incident, Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said. He was in critical condition.

Authorities said the man was walking through Jackson's Auto Salvage, located at 7124 Poole Road, about 2:30 p.m. when the area he was standing in was struck by lightning.

After the strike, the company closed for the day.

It was at least the second time this month of a Triangle resident being struck by lightning.

On July 6, Bruce Palmer, 74, of Durham, was struck by lightning while attending a family gathering in south Durham when a pop-up storm rolled through the area. He was rushed for medical treatment to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals for treatment.

WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said people should be cautious if they are considering going outside when they hear thunder.

"If you hear a rumble of thunder, stay indoors," he said. "And wait at least 20 minutes from the last clap of thunder before going outside."

There was a 40 percent chance of an isolated storm in the Triangle as unsettled air moves through the region, Maze said.