Lightning strikes twice for NJ's Lucy the Elephant

[July 07, 2011]  MARGATE, N.J. (AP) -- Who says lightning never strikes twice in the same place? Certainly not Lucy the Elephant.

The national historic landmark on the Jersey shore was damaged over the weekend by a lightning strike that knocked out electrical, computer, alarm and air conditioning systems.

Richard Helfant, executive director of the group that operates Lucy, says Sunday's lightning strike could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 to fix.

Lucy was also hit by lightning in 2006. That hit caused $162,000 worth of damage to her riding carriage, called a howdah. After that incident, lightning rods were installed. They may have helped limit the damage from Sunday's strike.

The popular 65-foot tall wood and metal tourist attraction just south of Atlantic City remains open and will mark its 130th birthday in two weeks.

[Associated Press; By WAYNE PARRY]

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