Lightning — Monroe, Florida

2013-06-26 · near Stock Is, Monroe, Florida

Event narrative

A police officer was injured when his motorcycle was struck, possibly indirectly, by lightning. It was unknown whether the original lightning strike was to a utility pole or directly to the right-hand handlebar of the motorcycle. The officer was waiting at a traffic signal at Palm Avenue and North Roosevelt Boulevard while returning to the Key West Police Station in order to switch to his assigned car after hearing thunder. The officer experienced a significant jolt which threw his right arm backward, causing a shoulder injury. The officer remained conscious and was able to call for rescue service using his own radio. The officer was admitted for overnight observation and medical testing and did not receive any burns from the lightning strike. The officer was released shortly thereafter and was expected to return to duty soon.

Wider weather episode

A lightning strike from a thunderstorm centered about 6 to 8 miles north of Key West caused injury to a police officer.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (24.5599, -81.7838)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 454730. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.