Lightning struck and set a world record. The flash occurred in 2017 and spanned from eastern Texas to near west-central Missouri — a distance of 515 miles, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Eight years later, scientists have recognized the lightning flash as the longest ever documented.

"This new record clearly demonstrates the incredible power of the natural environment," professor Randall Cerveny said.

The longest lightning flash in the world covered more than 500 miles of ground, scientists have found. The “megaflash” occurred on October 22 2017 in the Great Plains of the US during a major storm.