Lightning strike on 30-foot tree draws shock and awe

Ray Aston of Ashdown Ark., talks Thursday, April 21, 2016 about the tulip poplar tree in his front yard that was recently shattered by lightning. The 30-foot tree had been the focal point of the Astons' front yard for over 20 years.
Ray Aston of Ashdown Ark., talks Thursday, April 21, 2016 about the tulip poplar tree in his front yard that was recently shattered by lightning. The 30-foot tree had been the focal point of the Astons' front yard for over 20 years.

The electrical power of lightning was excitement Ray and Barbara Aston didn't want during a recent severe thunderstorm.

Lightning shattered a 30-foot tall tulip poplar tree within 25 feet of the Astons' house, and the explosion of instant thunder nearly scared them to death.

"I was half awake, and my wife was watching TV when we heard an explosion. I was certainly awake when I heard the thunder. I jumped up from the bed and said, 'What was that?' It sounded like an explosion," Ray Aston said.

The house is next to Millwood Baptist Church, about 5 miles east of Ashdown, Ark., adjacent to state Highway 32 East.

The thunderstorm hit the area about 7 a.m. April 11. The shattered tree continues to attract the attention of passing motorists who want photos.

"We had excitement we didn't want," Barbara Aston said.

"The landline telephone went out. The TV and satellite went out and the cellphone booster went out, and a few days later, we find out the dishwasher was inoperable," Ray Aston said.

About 10 minutes after the thunder, the couple looked out the window and saw how the tulip poplar tree was shattered.

"The top third of the tree exploded. Splinters and bark were all over the place. I found splinters in all directions for a good 150 feet. I found some splinters in the back yard, so that means the splinters flew over the top of the house to get to the back yard," said Aston, who was the Jack's Isle volunteer fire chief for about 13 years.

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