Woman Who Survived Lightning Strike Claims She Can Now Sense When Storms Are Coming

Kimberly Krone, a mother of six from Texas, miraculously survived a terrifying incident in June 2009 when she was struck by lightning inside her home. However, the incident left more than just injuries in its wake. Krone claims to have developed an extraordinary ability to sense approaching storms.

The Weather Channel

The lightning incident occurred one morning while Krone was in her kitchen. As she was cleaning up after breakfast, the city of Forney experienced an unprecedented surge of 1,200 lightning strikes in just five minutes. Suddenly, two thunderous booms alerted Krone to the imminent danger.

In a matter of moments, a massive lightning bolt pierced through a light fixture in the kitchen ceiling and rebounded off a frying pan that Krone was holding. 

News18

The lightning struck her directly in the chest, causing excruciating pain and filling the air with the smell of burning. Krone vividly remembers thinking, "I wish it would end quickly."

Fortunately, Krone's nine-year-old son, Tristan, quickly took action by dialing emergency services and describing the catastrophic incident. A distressing recording of the call captured Tristan's desperate pleas for help, fearing the worst for his injured mother. Meanwhile, another lightning bolt hit the house, causing significant damage to the family's computer.

It took a tense sixteen minutes for emergency responders to arrive at the scene. Krone was promptly transported to a nearby hospital, where she remained under intensive care for the next three days. 

The Weather Channel

Throughout her harrowing ordeal, she experienced terrifying seizures and a complete shutdown of her nervous system, consequences of the tremendous impact the lightning strike had on her body.

"Lightning came through the ceiling!" the little boy told the dispatcher. He said he was at home with his four brothers and sisters while his mom was lying on the floor with her eyes closed.

"Mom's hurting real bad," he said. "She is still breathing."

Speaking to CBS News close to two years after the incident, Krone said she can recall the ‘pain’ and the ‘burning’ smell.

Unsplash/File

She explained: “I can remember the pain. I can remember the burning smell. And, all I could think of was I wish it would hurry up and end.”

Krone said she experienced long-term effects after the incident. “I still hurt,” she told CBS. “My chest will get tight when the storm’s coming, especially the closer it gets.”

She continued: “As far as a lightning strike, you’re always going to be scared. You’re always going to be nervous.”

Following the incident, Krone's life underwent a profound transformation. Two years later, in 2011, she revealed to ABC News that she had acquired an extraordinary ability: the power to sense approaching storms. However, this newfound gift came at a significant cost.

As stormy weather looms, Krone experiences a tightening sensation in her chest, accompanied by discomfort. This serves as a clear indication that a storm is approaching. The closer the storm gets, the more intense her anxiety becomes, serving as a constant reminder of the life-altering lightning strike.

Despite her remarkable ability, Krone candidly shared that the fear of lightning strikes still haunts her. She continues to experience dizziness and occasional hot flashes, and she also endures persistent weakness on the left side of her body. These lingering effects serve as ongoing reminders of the traumatic event.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the likelihood of being struck by lightning in a single year is less than one in a million, and approximately 90 percent of individuals struck by lightning survive. Surprisingly, about one-third of lightning-related injuries occur indoors.