Anthony Yates
A woman from Kentucky has suffered nerve damage after she used her microwave at home during a thunderstorm. She shared her story to spread awareness, but if you’re already nervous during storms, her tale may do little to change that.
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According to a report by Wave3, Shelby Miller suffered nerve and muscle damage during a storm on Tuesday. The Okolona resident told the outlet she was preparing dinner for her family at the time. “Next thing you know, my microwave is going off, I’m pulling the door open, and I’m being electrocuted,” she recalled. Miller told Wave3 that she couldn’t even let go of the microwave handle until the power was off. She claimed she put ice on it as soon as possible, but felt tingling and numbness.
Miller told the outlet that lightning struck her house when using the appliance. She reportedly visited the Norton Audubon Hospital, where doctors conducted extensive tests.
Emergency Services Revealed The Extent Of The Kentucky Woman’s Injuries
Per Wave3, Miller explained that hospital staff performed tests for over six hours, including an EKG. Doctors told her she has nerve and muscle damage in her left arm. They also told her she is at risk of having a heart attack.
The Okolona resident is now worrying about her health as well as the financial implications of replacing damaged household items. She told the outlet, “I wasn’t expecting that I was going to have to call off work for an injury. I wasn’t expecting to have any nerve damage in my arm, I use my arms at work. I can’t take care of my patients with just one arm, so that really worries me.”
Despite her health concerns, Miller told Wave3 she hoped her story might prevent others from suffering a similar injury. She said she was always told not to use a shower during a thunderstorm; she didn’t realize that warning extended to other household appliances.
The National Weather Service has a page dispelling various lightning myths. The organization points out that you’re usually safe inside your home during a thunderstorm, provided you avoid anything that conducts electricity. The page also clarifies that the age-old myth that lightning never strikes the same place twice is false.
