Lightning Strike Damages South Dakota Airport Runway

Officials say a runway at Pierre Regional Airport was closed temporarily after a lightning strike blasted several holes in the tarmac.

The South Dakota airport manager Mike Isaacs tells the Pierre Capital Journal that lightning struck the runway during a thunderstorm Monday morning. He says the strike caused “substantial damage,” making holes up to 10 inches deep in places. Asphalt debris was found in a 100-yard radius around the site.

The runway was closed when airport personnel found the damage. The holes were repaired by Monday afternoon.

Isaacs says no flights were cancelled, diverted or delayed because of the holes or the repair work.