Lightning — De Soto, Florida

2008-06-23 · near Nocatee, De Soto, Florida

Direct deaths

Injuries

Event narrative

At 4:30 p.m. EDT on June 23, 2008, Employee #1 was working at a ranch, clipping dead limbs off of a palm tree, when a heavy rain and lightning approached. Employee #1 and two coworkers sought refuge under a large 30-ft oak tree. While under the tree, Employee #1 leaned up against the tree. When lightning struck the tree, Employee #1 sustained burns to his hands and feet and was killed. Both coworkers were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Florida.

Wider weather episode

Surface high pressure remained in place across southern Florida with west to southwest winds aloft. Afternoon sea breezes developed each day and thunderstorms formed along sea breeze and outflow boundaries. On June 23, one person was killed and 2 people were injured by lightning while seeking refuge under a tree in DeSoto County.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (27.1160, -81.8340)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 752432. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.