Summer means lightning strikes
While the skies were light bright on the Fourth of July holiday, there have been additional, and far more dangerous ways the night has been illuminated locally.
With Florida producing the second most lighting strikes annually in the United States — and the most fatalities — strikes can be expected, especially during the summer months.
In recent weeks, Lee County has seen unfortunate events play out due to the presence of lighting within the county.
The Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District reported that one person was killed by a lighting strike and three others were hospitalized after being struck by lightning while in the water at the beach on July 3. According to the fire department,crews found one individual unresponsive, and three others who had to be transported.
“A bystander had deployed an AED and was performing CPR upon our arrival, however due to the injuries sustained efforts were not successful,” the department said in a statement posted online.
Viktar Kiryk, 51, was identified by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office as the victim who was fatally injured by the lightning strike.
Lightning strikes can also damage property.
On the evening of June 29, eight Cape Coral Fire Department vehicles responded to a residential structure fire in the 2300 block of Northwest 35th Ave.
According to CCFD officials, the home was struck by lightning, which ignited a fire in the attic and resulted in heavy smoke throughout the residence.
CCFD officials said three people, two cats, and a dog were inside at the time, and that the occupants safely evacuated and were able to bring one cat and the dog with them. Sadly, the second cat hid and did not survive.
One occupant was transported to the hospital in stable condition for treatment of smoke inhalation.
“This incident serves as an important reminder that storms can quickly create dangerous conditions,” CCFD officials stated. “Ensure your smoke alarms are working properly and that you and your family have an escape plan.”
According to the Lightning Tracker app, which uses data from NOAA, there have been 239 lightning strikes in Cape Coral over the last seven days.
CCFD spokesperson Andrea Schuch also told The Breeze, “We have had some houses struck by lightning, but none have started fires.”
Local meteorologists on Tuesday evening reported more than 100 strikes in a short period during an evening storm.
According to the Lightning Tracker, Cape Coral averages 85 thunderstorm days per year, making lightning awareness critical for residents and visitors.
“In Cape Coral, thunderstorm season runs from May through October, with peak activity in June through September,” states information provided by Lightning Tracker. “The summer months bring daily afternoon thunderstorms fueled by humid tropical air and intense solar heating. July and August typically see the highest frequency of lightning strikes.”
According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management and FloridaDisaster.org, to tell how close a lightning strike is, individuals should count the seconds between the lightning flash and the resulting thunder.
“For every five seconds you count, lightning is one mile away,” FDEM officials stated. “A good rule of thumb with regards to lightning safety is to remember that if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Even if it is not raining where you are, lightning can still reach you. Lightning can travel as far as 10 miles away from its thunderstorm, and has been observed as far as 25 miles away. This is why the best thing you can do when you see lightning is seek safe shelter as soon as possible.”
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com