Aug. 12 (UPI) — Lightning struck a northern Ohio state prison, injuring at least 16 people, who were transported to the hospital, officials said Tuesday night.
The lightning struck the Grafton Correctional Institution, located about 30 miles southwest of Cleveland, Tuesday night, as inmates were returning from their evening meal, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said in a statement.
Of the 16 people transported to an outside hospital, one was airlifted, it said.
The conditions of those injured were not immediately clear, though the department said, “there have been no reported deaths at this time.”
The incident comes as larges portions of Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia were under flood watches amid thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, according to the National Weather Service.
Ohio correctional authorities said they are continuing to assess and monitor the situation.
The Grafton Correctional Institution opened in 1988 on 1,396 acres, according to its website.
