Staten Islander Struck By Lightning Happens to Be Rep. Malliotakis Staffer – Good Samaritan Acted Without Hesitation, Recognized
Malliotakis Honors Good Samaritan Who Helped Staffer Struck by Lightning
See below for our video from the press conference and of the lightning strike. The chances of being struck by lightning at all is about 1 in 1.2 million. The chances that the person thus struck will be the staff member of a local congresswoman…. that’s definitely different and quite rare. James Madison was famously struck in the 1780s, but it’s uncommon for a politician or their staff member to be struck. This incident was captured on a doorbell camera in its entirety, capturing the exact moment of the strike, which can be seen after the conference. Ms. Homan’s husband is also a New York City firefighter:
(STATEN ISLAND, NY) — Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) met with Stefanie Homan, the Good Samaritan who came to the aid of staff member Thomas Fahmy after he was struck by lightning last week. Malliotakis presented Homan with a Congressional Commendation in recognition of her quick thinking and compassion during the frightening incident.
“We are incredibly grateful that Thomas, a valued member of our Staten Island office, is doing well after this horrifying experience, and we thank Stefanie Homan for her heroic actions. Her quick response is an example of the kindness and compassion that make Staten Island such a special community,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “We also thank the first responders and the medical team at Staten Island University Hospital for treating Thomas.”
“I heard Thomas say ‘help me, help me’ so I ran to my door and I opened it and I saw him on the ground,” said Stefanie Homan, Good Samaritan. “I am just so happy that I was able to help you and you were able to get up and that you’re okay.”
“I am extremely grateful to the Good Samaritan, Stefanie Homan, who so selflessly came to my aid during last Thursday’s thunderstorm. After I was struck by lightning, fell to the ground, and cried out for help, Stefanie opened the front door of her home while holding and comforting her baby son, who was understandably frightened by the lightning and what had just occurred. While caring for her son, she immediately called 911 and welcomed me into her home until emergency services arrived. This is Staten Island at its finest. I will always be grateful for Stefanie’s extraordinary selflessness and compassion in opening her home to a complete stranger in need,” said Thomas Fahmy.
Friday, September 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Congresswoman Malliotakis’ Staten Island District Office:
1698 Victory Blvd, Suite 2L, Staten Island, NY 10314
Banner Image: Rep. Nicole Malliotakis with Good Samaritan Stefanie Homan and staff member Thomas Fahmy at her Staten Island District Office. Image Credit – Rep. Malliotakis
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was sworn in on January 3, 2021 to represent Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn. Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 2, 2010, defeating a two-term incumbent. In the Assembly, she served as Minority Whip and the ranking minority member of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Employees. For five terms, Congresswoman Malliotakis fought to restore ethics in Albany, expand transit service in her district, improve programs for senior citizens, reform education and improve New York’s economic climate by reducing the tax burden on small businesses and residents. A cornerstone of her tenure was helping her community recover and rebuild following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In addition to advocating for these same issues in Washington, Congresswoman Malliotakis is acutely focused on securing New York’s fair share of federal mass transit funding, which would go towards expanding transportation services and easing traffic congestion, while also championing public safety by supporting our nation’s law enforcement officers. Congresswoman Malliotakis is the daughter of immigrants, her father from Greece and her mother a Cuban exile of the Castro dictatorship. She is currently the only Republican member representing New York City in Congress, representing a district spanning the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. She is a passionate advocate for animal rights and the strengthening of animal cruelty laws, and in her spare time, enjoys spending time with her chihuahua, Peanut.
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