I can personally state from experience that lightning CAN strike twice (or more) in the same spot, contrary to the popular saying that it can't.

My father had a gas station, and about 100 feet or so behind the station was a power pole. During one particularly violent thunderstorm, I watched that pole get hit four times by lightning. It would get hit, start on fire, and the rain would put out the fire. Then it would get hit again, start on fire again, etc., four times in one storm! Any time I have ever been close to a lightning strike, there is an immediate, tremendous "CRACK" sound, closely followed by very loud thunder.

AV8TOR