St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Downtown Beaumont was struck by lightning sometime after 5 a.m. Sunday morning. The shingles received some damage and the cross above the south bell tower was blown into pieces. The air conditioner and Wi-Fi are down, but no severe damage that will hinder the usual parish functions has been found.
Contractors are onsite for the rest of the day to assess further damages.
- St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica supervisor of facilities management Jay Francis shows some of the broken remains of the cross over the south bell tower that exploded after being struck by lightning sometime after 5 a.m. Sunday morning.