Edward Franco
•7/10/2026
A severe thunderstorm brought powerful winds, heavy rain and widespread disruption across the Gulf Coast on Thursday night.
Thunder roared, rain blew sideways, and palm trees swayed as the storm swept through, snapping trees and knocking out power to businesses at Bell Tower in Fort Myers around 7:25 p.m.
"All of a sudden the power just went out and everyone was screaming. It was really dramatic," said Alexa Zatarin.
At Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar, diners like Zatarin experienced a blackout during their meals and drinks, while outside, debris such as a tent flew and fell next to a car, and trash cans were blown away by the strong winds.
"It was surprising. The trees were definitely going crazy," said Morgan Hanley from Fort Myers.
The storm's intensity was evident as trees were snapped in half, a fence was blown down, and even a news car in the parking lot shook from the force of the wind.
The power outage also left people at the Regal movie theater without a showtime.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office said a person has been detained outside the Regal at Bell Tower in Villas in connection with a robbery just moments after the power outage.
"It was like kind of scary. And we couldn't, we couldn't get out," Zatarin said.
In San Carlos Park, video captured the strong winds taking down a flag pole.
In Bonita Springs, LCSO said a tree fell down and blocked the road at East Terry Street and Villanova Court.
Brush fires were also sparked by the storm. Cape Coral Fire Department Battalion Chief Nicholas Bonnici tells Gulf Coast News that a lightning strike "most likely" started a one-acre fire near Southeast 24th Avenue and Southeast 12th Street in Cape Coral. The Florida Forest Service says it is 95% contained as of 11 p.m.
Crews say a small brush fire was also ignited by a lightning strike behind the Chico's Headquarters parking lot near Plantation Rd and Idlewild St in Fort Myers.
By Thursday night, power had been restored at Bell Tower, but the storm disrupted evening plans for many.
"Stay prepared. Make sure you have your umbrella. I left mine in the car," Hanley said.
As lightning strikes are more frequent during the summer across the Gulf Coast, the National Weather Service reminds people of this message: "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"
