Twice I have been outside and within 100 to 500 feet of a lightning strike. The first time in a wooded area, lightning struck a pine tree about 100 feet away. There were about 2 or 3 dozen of us (teenagers) in the group. We saw it, heard it, felt it at the same instant. The bolt went through the center of the tree, all that was left was a stump (I think it was 75 feet or more) the trunk exploded and there was not a piece of wood longer than 6 or 7 feet. Very impressive, fortunately no one was hurt from the strike or the flying debris.
The second time I was a work (a power plant), standing in about 8 inches of rain water walking from the 230,000 volt switchyard back to the plant when lighting struck the building and I saw the bolt go down the side of the building into the ground (remember I am standing is 8 inches of water....) I ran for cover....
Lightning is very impressive.
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Pennsylvania, for 60+ years, most recently, Allentown, now TV. 
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