Doorbell video captured the moment Thomas Fahmy collapsed near his car during a thunderstorm before getting back up and seeking help.<\/p>\n
Published Sep 3, 2026 9:57 AM EDT\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t|<\/p>\n
Updated Sep 3, 2026 10:01 AM EDT\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\tThomas Fahmy was walking down a sidewalk in Staten Island, New York, when lightning struck him on Aug. 27. A neighbor\u2019s doorbell camera captured the lightning strike and shows Fahmy coming up to the door for help.\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\tA Staten Island<\/a> man survived being struck by lightning while walking to a dentist appointment, with doorbell video capturing the moment he suddenly collapsed on the sidewalk.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThomas Fahmy was walking along Todt Hill Road near Windsor Road when a bright flash appeared and he dropped to the ground. He told ABC 7<\/a> the strike hit his foot but he never lost consciousness and was able to get back up and get help from a nearby home.\n<\/p>\n \n\tFahmy said he felt an intense shock through his body.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThis very intense burning sensation. Tingling, numbness, pain, severe pain, in both my feet,\u201d he told NBC New York<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \n\tStephanie Homan heard Fahmy outside and rushed to help.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI heard, \u2018Help me, help me,\u2019 so I ran to my door and saw him on the ground,\u201d she told NBC.\n<\/p>\n \n\tFahmy, who suffered no burns or other major injuries, was taken to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital and monitored before being released the following day.\n<\/p>\n \n\t“No burns. I had multiple body exams, no burns at all,” Fahmy told ABC. “I went on church Sunday to say thank you God.”\n<\/p>\n \n\t\tRound after round of heavy rain led to flash flooding throughout New Jersey, New York and surrounding areas on Aug. 27.\n\t<\/p>\n \n\tThunderstorms were moving across Staten Island that afternoon, with Richmond County under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. EDT<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \n\tAccuWeather Lightning Network data shows 10 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within 2 miles of the intersection where Fahmy was struck, the closest happening between 12:41 p.m. and 1:07 p.m. An additional strike happened just after 4 p.m. around the time of Fahmy’s dangerous encounter.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe NWS also issued a flash flood warning that specifically included Todt Hill<\/a>, saying radar showed thunderstorms producing heavy rain, with 1.5 to 2.5 inches already fallen and another 1 to 2 inches possible.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe CDC<\/a> reports that the odds of a person being struck in a given year are less than 1 in a million, and nearly 90% of people struck by lightning survive.\n<\/p>\n \n\tFahmy works at U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis\u2019 Staten Island office.\n<\/p>\n \n\t“We are happy, grateful and relieved that Thomas, a valued member of our Staten Island office, is alive and well after being struck by lightning last week,” Malliotakis wrote on Facebook<\/a>. “We appreciate the good samaritan and medical staff at Staten Island University Hospital who helped him get emergency care.”\n<\/p>\n \n\tFor Fahmy, the experience changed his perspective.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cJust to appreciate life, smile and breathe fresh air once in a while and don\u2019t let life overwhelm you,\u201d he told NBC New York.\n<\/p>\n \n\tNo place outdoors is safe when thunderstorms are nearby. Anyone who can hear thunder is close enough to be struck by lightning and should move inside a building or hard-topped vehicle.\n<\/p>\n