HOKITIKA, New Zealand – A radar stationed on the west coast of New Zealand was shredded by a powerful lighting strike last week, putting the radar out of commission.

The incident occurred Thursday when the area near Hokitika, where the radar is located, was hit by a 156,000-amp bolt of lightning.

MetService New Zealand said the bolt was about five times more powerful than a typical bolt for the country, producing enough energy to power an average home for two years.

As the lightning struck, it not only produced a blinding flash and deafening thunder, but it also produced a shockwave strong enough to destroy the radome.

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The bolt also heated the surrounding air to be five times hotter than the surface of the Sun , causing the moisture

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