Lightning carved a long streak into a tree in Kayleigh Maurer’s yard in New Ulm.

NEW ULM — A little before 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, many New Ulm residents were startled by the sound of thunder caused by a lightning strike on South Washington Street.

The lightning struck a tree in front of the Maurer residence in the 1300 block of S. Washington.

Kayleigh Maurer said it happened just before 7:30 a.m. She and her kids were preparing to leave the house when the strike occurred. Fortunately, everyone was still inside when the bolt hit, and no one was injured.

Maurer said her kids were by the window facing the tree when the strike happened. In their account, everything flashed purple for a moment. Maurer was in another room during the strike and saw flashes of red and white light followed by an exploding sound.

“I thought my car exploded,” Maurer said.

It did not take long to figure out it was a lightning strike. A long streak was carved into the tree’s trunk. Wood chips were scattered all over the yard, sidewalk, vehicle and street. The electricity sent current down the tree through the root system. Dirt over the roots was disturbed by the discharge.

The lightning did not stop at the ground. The Maurer house was damaged by electrical discharge. A section of siding by the door was blown off. Several lights were taken out. A door security camera and doorbell were also wrecked. Scorch marks were left on the siding around the doorbell.

The total cost of the damage is unknown. The Maurers’ insurance company is still reviewing the claim. Maurer is relieved the damage was not worse.

The tree that was hit by the lightning remained mostly intact, but the family intends to cut off the limb hit by the tree as it is not expected to grow properly.