Three individuals, including a 17-year-old girl, suffer a shocking incident as lightning strikes them while they were on a Florida beach, necessitating hospitalization for the young girl.
In a shocking incident that took place at St. Pete Beach, a small city in Pinellas County, Florida, a family of three was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. The incident occurred at around 12:19 p.m., just hours before the area was set to celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks.
The family was under an umbrella when the lightning strike occurred. However, standing under an umbrella during a thunderstorm offers very little to no protection against lightning and is generally unsafe. This is because lightning tends to strike the tallest object in an area, and an umbrella, especially one with a metal shaft, can act as a conductor or attract strikes.
The family's umbrella was singed and snapped in half as a result of the lightning strike, and other belongings were also damaged. Two adult victims were treated on-site and refused further treatment, while a 17-year-old girl was taken to Tampa General Hospital. Unfortunately, there has been no immediate update on her condition.
A Good Samaritan picked up the 17-year-old girl after the lightning strike. Emergency services, including St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, responded to the scene.
Safety experts strongly recommend avoiding open fields, isolated trees, or any tall, exposed objects during a storm. The safest options are to seek designated shelters, buildings, or vehicles at the first sign of a thunderstorm. Cars provide much safer protection because their metal bodies act as a Faraday cage, directing electrical current around passengers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against carrying any metal objects, including umbrellas, during a lightning storm. WTSP meteorologist Bobby Deskins stated that having an umbrella taller than a person creates a lightning rod.
Kerry Breen, a news editor at ourNews.com, reported on this incident. Breen is a graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism and previously worked at NBC News' TODAY Digital.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by thunderstorms and the importance of seeking proper shelter during such weather conditions. It is always advisable to head to a building or car instead of relying on an umbrella for protection. Stay safe, and let's hope for a speedy recovery for the affected family.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against carrying any metal objects, including umbrellas, during a lightning storm, as having an umbrella taller than a person creates a lightning rod.
- Kerry Breen, a news editor at ourNews.com, reported on the incident at St. Pete Beach, Florida, where a family of three was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm, emphasizing the importance of seeking proper shelter during such weather conditions.
- The incident, which occurred just hours before the area was set to celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by thunderstorms and the importance of seeking proper shelter, such as buildings or cars, instead of relying on an umbrella for protection.
- In the general-news realm, breaking news stories about accidents, crime-and-justice, science, health-and-wellness, and mental-health often highlight the importance of following safety guidelines, such as avoiding open fields, isolated trees, or any tall, exposed objects during a storm.
