in Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Southgate, West Grey
December 25, 2024
BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — From heatwaves to wildfires, hurricanes, floods and wicked snowstorms, 2024 shattered records as Canada's most expensive year for weather disasters. A local Internet provider could vouch for the truth in that statement when this past October, a particularly strong thunder storm wreaked havoc in southern Grey County.
In the morning of Tuesday, October 29, lightning struck RuralNet's Markdale Tower, destroying the tower and much of the equipment connected to it. Their account of the devastation was the 7th most-read story of the year.
The lightning strike "melted every wire on the tower and to the tower. It disconnected itself from the electrical grid by blowing up the meter base and throwing the electrical meter some fair distance from the box."
The electrical energy blew up a wooden shed on the property. With a current measured at 152,000 Amps, the strike turned an electrical panel into an unavailing pile of metal and wood.
Despite the destruction, RuralNet was able to restore service to over 400 affected customers in only 8 hours — an amazing feat, considering the massive impact made by Mother Nature.
Read the full account:
Lightning strikes RuralNet Tower, downs network, causes massive destruction
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