During a storm in Dayton last week, local man Chip Beale captured an amazing and rare phenomenon.
Although some would be happy thinking this was clearly caused by a multitude of alien activity near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the skeptic in me knew there had to be a much more scientific answer.
According to Don Gebele of Dayton Power & Light, the answer is simple as well as worrisome. In a video Gebele made in response to the original video, he explains that the variety of summer weather can sometimes have an adverse effect on power systems.
“What we’re seeing there is an arc being created either by lightning or potentially some other debris.”
Gebele went on to explain that the arc is an ionization of the air surrounding the fault, as the electricity searches for some sort of ground.
Even though it may be tempting to go out during storms and record your own footage of this awesome phenomenon, it’s important to remember that it’s incredibly dangerous to go near live wires. The best thing you can do is keep a safe distance and notify your local first responders, as well as the electric company in your area.
After all, when the lines are down, don’t you play around! You gotta play it safe around electricity.
