“Feels like an omen” - Internet reacts as lightning strikes Empire State Building on New Year's Eve

The Empire State Building, along with the US Capitol and the World Trade Center, were all struck by lightning on New Year's Eve. Footage of the same is going viral online, with some folks asserting that this was a sign that something bad was imminent.

Some couldn't help but point out that the chances of lightning striking the Empire State Building, and on New Year's Eve at that, was too eerie or ominous. Here's what one user stated:

"The US Capitol, World Trade Center, and Empire State Building were all struck by lightning tonight, on the final evening of 2024. Feels like an omen. I wonder what God is telling us."

Scores online echoed the sentiments, while others pointed out that there was nothing to it except bad weather:

"I’ve seen 102726 posts just like this. FFS folks. It’s a damn storm. We have lightening in Alabama too. Why does ANYONE want to post this as some type of ANYTHING other than what it really is? WEATHER event," a naysayer pointed out.

"This feels more like a ritualistic event, especially since New Year’s traces back to pagan traditions. Lightning hitting these major landmarks on such a symbolic night raises questions—what kind of energy or intentions could be behind this?" another asked.

"I choose to think it means better days are coming," one wishful person added.

"Happens all the time when there are storms in the region. Those buildings are massive lightning rods," one user assured.

The comments didn't end there, however, as even more weighed in with wary sentiments:

"Wow! The Empire State Building, The Washington Monument and The Capitol!! Omen or.......?" someone probed.

"Looks like some kind of sign to me," another opined.

"Lightning strikes both the U.S. Capitol and the Empire State Building on New Year's Eve. Well that can't be a good omen," yet another stated.

"Feels like the start of a ghostbusters movie," one user joked.

The internet was riddled with mixed reactions, most of which bordered on it being a sign of something awful.

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A quick rundown of New Year's Eve in New York: Bad weather as lightning strikes the Empire State Building, The Capitol

Nature's force caused an uproar on New Year's Eve at precisely 17:36 (EST), when all three structures were struck, scientifically speaking, the positive charge of the structures coming into contact with the negative charge of the clouds is what brings forth a lightning bolt.

As reported by meteorologist Chris Vagasky on Tuesday,

"134 lightning events detected within 50 miles of Times Square in the last 35 minutes."

Nonetheless, on NYE, New York played host to over one million people sauntering down the streets, clad in ponchos and humorously large hats that showed off "2025" on them. At Times Square, the popular ball drop went as planned, while this year, celebrated artists such as TLC, Jonas Brothers, Rita Ora, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor showed up to perform for the masses.

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Amid all the festivities, however, The Mirror reports that all NYPD officials were ultra-focused on keeping the masses safe and sound.