A lightning strike on August 11, 2025, triggered a huge explosion at a transformer along Highway 17 near Shelmore Boulevard around 11 a.m.

The blast caused power lines to fall onto the road, creating major traffic jams. Authorities reported no injuries from the incident.

Mount Pleasant Police said: “A bit too much excitement for a Monday! The lightning strike caused our power outages and traffic delays. Fortunately, no one was injured, and Dominion Energy responded quickly, restoring power and removing the downed wires.”

Dash cam footage from a police vehicle captured the explosion, prompting over a dozen officers to direct traffic at seven key intersections for about three hours.

This event occurred amid severe weather conditions, with nearly 30,000 lightning strikes recorded in the area earlier in August during a heatwave and high humidity. The explosion highlights growing concerns about the resilience of infrastructure in the face of extreme weather linked to climate change.