• A lightning bolt struck a house just behind a 6-year-old girl in Southern California as her mother filmed an approaching storm. This terrifying moment was captured on camera.
• The loud, sudden strike startled the family, but no one was hurt, and the children quickly recovered from the scare.
• Thunderstorms are rare in the area, with fewer than 10 lightning days per year. This makes the close call even more shocking.

What began as a routine afternoon quickly turned into a terrifying experience for a Southern California family. A lightning bolt struck just behind a child standing in her front yard. Tiffanie Buckner was outside with her two kids. She was filming the incoming storm as they prepared to go back inside. Her six-year-old daughter, Penelope, stood calmly in front of the camera when a massive bolt of lightning suddenly hit a house in the cul-de-sac behind her. The sound was instant—loud, jarring, and unlike anything the family had experienced before.

Family Caught Off Guard by Rare Lightning Strike

The moment the bolt hit, Buckner and her children screamed and ran toward the camera, visibly shaken by the force of the strike. “It was nothing like the usual lightning that just lights up the sky,” Buckner said. She had only planned to send the video to her husband and mother. Instead, she ended up capturing a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The kids were understandably startled, but thankfully, no one was injured.

Penelope Recovers Quickly, but Safety Comes First

Though the experience was intense, Penelope wasn’t scared for long. As soon as the rain began, she asked to go back outside and enjoy the storm. Buckner, still shaken, told her no. The family stayed inside for the rest of the storm, grateful that everyone was safe. “The kids are okay and now have an amazing story to tell,” she added with a smile.

Unusual Thunderstorms Rattle Southern California

Lightning like this is extremely rare in Southern California. Thunderstorm activity is limited to fewer than ten days a year. But Tuesday’s weather brought more than just dramatic skies. The National Weather Service reported that the storm system would bring small hail, gusty winds, and short periods of heavy rain to the region. For the Buckner family, it brought a reminder of how quickly and powerfully nature can make itself known—even when you least expect it.