A dangerous stretch of lightning strikes puts the state on alert

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — Florida has earned the nickname "Lightning Capital of the United States" for good reason, and the past week has offered a brutal reminder why. Between July 3 and July 6, nine people across the state were struck by lightning. Eight survived with injuries. One did not.

The strikes happened in different parts of Florida, under different circumstances, but all outside.  The pattern is unmistakable: summer storm season is here, and it is not to be underestimated.

North Miami - Friday, July 3 — Lightning tore into a tree hard enough to split it in half. Part of the falling trunk crashed down onto an occupied car, crushing the vehicle and sending its passenger to the hospital. (The person is not believed to have been struck directly.)

Fort Myers Beach - Friday, July 3 — The most devastating incident of the week unfolded between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m., when a single strike killed one person and injured three others while swimming at the beach.

Near the Seminole beach access point in Volusia County on Saturday, July 4 — A lifeguard's patrol vehicle took a direct hit. The current jumped from the truck to the lifeguard standing nearby, sending him to the hospital for evaluation. He was later released.

Mullet Lake Park, Seminole County - Sunday, July 5 — A sheriff's deputy standing near a tree was struck indirectly. He was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover.

Dade City, Pasco County - Monday, July 6 — A person struck by lightning was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. A second bystander nearby was also taken in as a precaution.

Why Florida, Why Now

Florida sits at the collision point of warm, moisture-laden air from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, colliding over a peninsula that heats unevenly through the day. That combination fuels explosive afternoon thunderstorms almost daily through the summer months, making the state the most lightning-prone region in the country. July and August are historically the most dangerous weeks of the year.

What makes this past week notable isn't just the number of strikes; it's the variety of ways people were caught. A parked car. A patrol truck. A tree. An open beach. Lightning doesn't require a direct hit to hurt or kill; several of this week's victims were struck indirectly, through metal objects, ground current, or falling debris.

What Actually Keeps You Safe

Meteorologists and emergency officials repeat the same rule every summer for a reason: if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck.

• Lightning can strike from ten miles away, even when the sky overhead looks clear and blue.
• There is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm. The only real protection is a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows up.
• Wait it out. The widely recommended rule is to remain sheltered for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before heading back outside.
• Get away from trees. Several of this week's injuries involved people standing near trees when lightning struck. Trees are common lightning targets, and both direct strikes and falling limbs pose real danger.