Katy Community Rallies to Support Family that Lost Home to Lightning Strike
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KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
June 3, 2026
By Natalie Cook Clark
Multiple storms hit Katy last night lighting up the sky with intense lightning that brought vast power outages. Three homes were struck by lightning, with one Cinco Ranch area home being reported a total loss. The community now rallies to support the family.
This morning Katy families assess damage after two intense storms hit Katy with the first being during rush hour last night. The storms brought intense lightning and power outages to the area and at least three homes are reported to have been struck by lightning. The Katy community is coming together to help support a Cinco Ranch area family that lost everything last night.
The Carnie family lives off of Mayfield Ridge Lane in The Ridgefield subdivision that is off of Cinco Trace Drive near Spring Green Boulevard. Both Willow Fork Fire Department and Katy fire Department responded to reports of the fire.
Officials reported entering the home and verifying that no one was home. The roof collapsed not long after they exited and some firefighters were treated at a nearby hospital for injuries, but expected to recover.
How to Help this Family
The Katy family, Martin and Laura Carnie, along with their two children, 15-year-old Lucy and 6-year-old Jack, experienced the total loss of their home and everything in it. The family is from Scotland and doesn’t have family here to help them, but the Katy community is coming together.
Jamie Miranda, a friend of the family, has set up a Go Fund Me account that already has reached over $5,000 as of this morning.
“In a matter of moments, they lost not only their house, but all of their belongings—clothes, school supplies, keepsakes, and the irreplaceable memories that made their house a home,” explains Miranda.
Lucy Carnie attends Jordan High School and Jack Carnie attends Jenks Elementary. Their friends are rallying to help.
“While we are incredibly grateful that the family is safe,” says Miranda, “they are now faced with the overwhelming task of starting completely over.”
Miranda explains that donations will go toward immediate needs like clothing, food, and temporary housing, as well as helping them begin the long process of recovery.
To donate, visit the account.
More Residents Wake to Damage
Other Katy families woke up to damage. A resident in Kelliwood Estates found a broken fence that urgently needs repaired to keep her dogs in.
Other families took to Katy Magazine’s Facebook page to share pictures from the storm. Such storms are a reminder that we have now entered Hurricane Season.
Be Storm Ready
The City of Katy offers Hurricane Preparedness resources on their website. Katy residents, and those within the surrounding areas are encouraged to sign up for the KTAlert notification.
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