Lightning — Polk, Florida

1998-06-21 · near Polk City, Polk, Florida

Event narrative

Under partial sunshine, sideflash from a lightning bolt of a distant thunderstorm struck and killed a 47 year old male, injured a 27 year old male and a 20 year female while they stood within 15 feet of a seven foot tall wooden pole on the 300 block of West Fussell Road north of Polk City. The lightning bolt struck the pole which was part of a pole barn under construction next to a 30 foot tall tree.The lightning strike blew off the boots of the injured female and knocked to the ground the 27 year old injured male.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5658607. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.