An electrifying storm

Lightning struck one of the chimneys in my condo building yesterday, sending bricks flying hundreds of feet away. One of the bricks flew into my door, breaking the glass. The impact was so great that it jarred part of the door handle inside loose. Fortunately, no one in the area was hurt.

The chimney itself is in a precarious position, ready to fall at any moment. The area below the chimney has been sealed off with yellow police tape; residents won't be able to enter through their front door until the chimney is either stabilized or repaired.

The storm tore through the Boston area about 3:30 p.m. and dropped nearly an inch of rain in less than an hour. Wind speeds in some parts of Greater Boston hit 45 miles an hour. Ten people in Dorchester were injured when lightning struck the tree under which they were standing. Across the region, the storm downed trees and power lines, washed out streets, and knocked out traffic lights. Several boats in Boston Harbor sent out distress signals. Part of I-93 flooded near Columbia Road, backing up traffic for miles.