Lightning Strike Injures One on Anna Maria Island During Summer Storm

HOLMES BEACH, Fla. — One person was injured Monday afternoon after lightning struck a group gathered under a cabana near the 68th Street beach access on Anna Maria Island, according to Holmes Beach Police.

Emergency responders were dispatched to the popular Gulf-side beach just after 4 p.m., where a group of six people had been sheltering beneath a cabana when lightning struck in the vicinity. One individual sustained an injury and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. The remaining five left the scene without medical assistance.

Holmes Beach Police Chief William L. Tokajer confirmed the incident marked the first lightning-related injury of the summer season in Holmes Beach.

The incident comes during Lightning Safety Awareness Week, a national campaign held each June to raise awareness about the dangers of lightning, particularly in storm-prone states like Florida. The campaign emphasizes safety practices such as seeking shelter indoors during storms, avoiding open spaces and water, and refraining from using metal objects or electronics when lightning is nearby.

Florida, often referred to as the lightning capital of the United States, averages nearly 300 lightning strikes per square mile annually, according to data from the National Weather Service and the Vaisala U.S. National Lightning Detection Network. The state consistently leads the nation in lightning-related injuries and fatalities.

This latest strike was the third lightning incident in Florida within a week, resulting in injury or death, reinforcing the ongoing risks associated with summertime storms.

Officials urge residents and visitors to closely monitor weather alerts and move indoors at the first sign of thunder. As the peak of storm season approaches, safety advocates continue to promote the long-standing mantra: “When thunder roars, go indoors.”