Grandmother struck by lightning during powerful storms

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — A Douglasville woman who was struck by lightning during powerful storms Monday night says she felt a current "buzzing through her body."

"I guess it came up from the ground and went through my body. The electrical shock went through my body." said Mary Izzell.

Izzell spoke with Channel 2's Tom Regan as she was recovering at home Tuesday. She was treated and released from Wellstar Douglas Hospital.

The 59-year-old grandmother said she was taking a walk with her grandsons in the Chapel Hills subdivision when a storm started kicking up. She told the grandchildren to rush ahead of her to safety. Suddenly a bolt of lightning struck a tree she was passing along a pathway.

"It hit that tree, and splintered the tree, and then just threw me to the ground. It slammed me to the pavement." said Izzell.

The electrical current tore the retina in her left eye, but she could still see. She pulled herself up and made it to the nearest house to get help.

Doctors say her eye will heal, and aside from bruises in her arms and hands, she feels blessed.

"It's a miracle. It is really a miracle." said Izzell.

WSBTV