Lightning — Sarasota, Florida

2020-07-16 · near Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida

Event narrative

A 14-year-old boy was struck in the chest by lightning while he and his family were walking from the beach to their hotel. The boy had numerous burns and a hole in his shoe where the lightning exited his body. He was put on a ventilator and did survive the strike. The family was on vacation from Houston.

Wider weather episode

A strong waterspout came ashore on Coquina Beach causing damage.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (27.2800, -82.5500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 899352. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.