DELAND, Fla. — A DeLand mother is recovering after being struck by lightning.

It happened right outside of her job on Tuesday evening as heavy storms were rolling in.

The 41-year-old mother was at Denny's on Woodland Boulevard, where she had recently worked her way up to overnight manager.

The woman's daughter told Spectrum News that her mother was on a smoke break near a tree behind the restaurant.

But police say one of the employees told officers that he and the woman were walking outside to discuss the day, and as he grabbed his car door handle, he felt a jolt of electricity.

He looked over and the woman was falling to the ground.

Her daughter says they need all the help they can get.

"It's been tough, she was so excited to get this, and with this happening, when she is awake and responsive, she's going to be devastated that she can't do anything to help out," the daughter said, who did not want to be identified.

Police say the woman's phone was also struck during the incident.

Her daughter said she didn't want to describe the extent of her injuries, but she said her mother sustained quite a few.

The daughter is asking for prayers and told Spectrum News she went to Orlando Regional Medical Center Wednesday to visit her mother.