In a shocking incident on Friday, three members of a family were struck by lightning while seeking shelter under an umbrella on a beach in Pinellas County, Florida. According to local media, first responders from Pete Beach rushed to the scene to provide assistance. While two adults were treated on-site and declined further medical attention, a 17-year-old girl was taken to Tampa General Hospital.
As reported by CBS, the family was standing beneath their umbrella during a thunderstorm. Jennifer Tillman, a nearby resident who witnessed the event from her apartment overlooking the beach, described how the lightning seemed alarmingly close. "You could hear it getting closer and closer, and then it happened," she recounted. Tillman mentioned that a good Samaritan helped the teenager after the bolt, noting that the other two appeared to be in shock.
Images from the scene depicted the family's umbrella charred and split in half, alongside other belongings damaged by the lightning. Additionally, dead seagulls were visible in the area. Isaac Martin, a local beach worker, commented to another news outlet that the lightning was "insane."
Kyree Mejías and his family, who annually celebrate the Fourth of July at Saint Pete Beach, shared that they experienced a strange sensation from the nearby strike. "People started feeling a different kind of charge inside their bodies. For example, my uncle felt it from his face to his arm," Mejías explained.
Last month, a young man was struck by lightning while in shallow waters off New Smyrna Beach in Florida. Although the sky appeared clear and the nearest storm was approximately four miles away, the bolt struck Rosencranz, who tragically passed away the following day in the hospital.
Last year, another family suffered a similar fate on a Naples, Florida beach when lightning struck, critically injuring 24-year-old Adrián García. The electric discharge caused him severe brain damage.
To avoid being struck by lightning, it is crucial to seek shelter immediately upon hearing thunder, even if the sky looks clear. The warning "When thunder roars, go indoors" serves as an essential reminder. Lightning can strike the ground at significant distances from an active storm.
Lightning Safety and Precautions
What should you do if you hear thunder while at the beach?
Immediately seek shelter indoors or in a vehicle. Do not stay on the beach or in the water, as these places increase the risk of being struck by lightning.
Can lightning strike even if the sky is clear?
Yes, lightning can strike even if the sky appears clear. It can occur miles away from a storm, which is why it's important to take precautions as soon as you hear thunder.
Why is it dangerous to stay under a beach umbrella during a thunderstorm?
A beach umbrella does not provide adequate protection from lightning. It can actually attract lightning due to its height and metal components, increasing the risk of being struck.