Photographer Dan Martland captured an image reminiscent of scenes from a post-apocalyptic movie. He captured a lightning strike on the iconic Statue of Liberty. 

Last week severe storms swept through New York City.  Martland seized an awe-inspiring moment as lightning struck Lady Liberty's torch. And posted his work on Instagram. The electrifying image has captivated viewers and quickly garnered attention across social media platforms.

Statue of Liberty

Martland, known for his ability to capturing nature's raw power, shared the striking photograph on Wednesday, showcasing the Statue of Liberty engulfed in a burst of lightning. The image looked like it came straight from a Hollywood blockbuster.

Responding to inquiries about his process, he revealed his reliance on weather tracking apps to anticipate opportune moments for photography. "I usually track the weather with apps and head out if it's looking good," Martland explained.

"I've had times where I've been out for eight hours and got nothing. Today was only an hour. The storm passed pretty quick. And the apps showed that there were no more cells coming my way."

Dispelling doubts about the authenticity of the images, Martland clarified that they were genuine captures of still photographs. He emphasized that he also uses a lightning trigger to precisely freeze the electrifying moment. 

This isn't the first time Martland has immortalized the Statue of Liberty amidst nature's fury; a similar striking image from April 2023 also graces his Instagram feed.

Stormy Weather

New York City and its surrounding areas had a stormy week characterized by heavy rains, strong winds, and the threat of flash floods. 

The storm's impact extended beyond captivating visuals. On Friday with the weather clearing the city was hit by an earthquake.

The storm claimed a life in Westchester County, as a falling tree fatally struck an Armonk woman while she was driving.

Catherine Tusiani, 50, the wife of Michael Tusiani, a senior vice president of partnerships for the New York Yankees, was identified as the victim. 

Reports of fallen trees, damaged property, and power outages underscored the severity of the storm's impact, highlighting the vulnerability of urban environments to nature's forces. Despite the chaos and destruction wrought by the storm, Martland's photograph of the Statue of Liberty standing strong serves as a reminder of nature's awe-inspiring beauty.