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Man struck by lightning at New Smyrna Beach, officials say

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Updated  June 20, 2025 4:47pm EDT
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FOX 35 Orlando
Lightning strikes 3 in Florida, including man on beach

Lightning strikes 3 in Florida, including man on beach

Three people were struck by lightning in Central Florida within hours — two on a golf course and one at New Smyrna Beach during a wedding celebration. The 29-year-old man hit on the beach remains in critical condition, with officials saying the lightning came from a storm miles away. Florida continues to lead the nation in lightning-related deaths, with nearly 500 fatalities recorded since 1960.

The Brief

    • Three people were struck by lightning Friday in Volusia County, officials said.
    • A man was standing in the water at New Smyrna Beach when he was struck.
    • 2 golfers were on the course when lightning struck nearby and impacted them, officials said.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. - A Colorado man was rushed to the hospital after he was struck by lightning at New Smyrna Beach on Friday afternoon, according to a spokesperson for Volusia Beach Patrol.

Officials said the man was standing in ankle-deep water when the strike happened. Two golfers in Volusia County were also indirectly hit by lightning while storms were moving across the area, officials said. 

What happened?

What we know:

Tamra Maphurs, public information officer for Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, told FOX 35 that the incident happened around 12:20 p.m. at New Smyrna Beach, near the 27th Avenue entrance.

A 29-year-old man from Colorado was standing in ankle-deep water when he was struck. Beach Safety Patrol immediately started CPR. The man was rushed to the hospital, though he was unresponsive when he was transported.

He is said to be in critical condition.

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Strong showers and thunderstorms moved across Central Florida on Friday afternoon. Around 12:30 p.m., there was a strong storm cell over New Smyrna Beach, and more than 170 lightning strikes were reported, according to FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar. 

There was at least one lightning strike reported off the beach coast, near 27th Avenue.

Clarification: Officials initially said the man was 20, but later clarified that he was 29.

What they're saying:

In a social media post, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood offered a prayer for the victim. The sheriff said the victim was visiting the beach with his wife, to celebrate their marriage.

"In one terrifying second, everything changed. My heart goes out to them tonight. I also want to thank everyone who worked so quickly to render aid and get him to the hospital for a fighting chance."

Lightning capitol of the U.S.

Dig deeper:

Florida is often known as the "lightning capitol" of the United States. The Sunshine State experiences more lightning strikes per square mile than any other state. 

Florida averages about 1.2 million lightning strikes each year, according to the Florida Department of Health. Each bolt of lightning contains 1 billion volts of electricity and can reach temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun.

According to the CDC, some 40 million lightning strikes hit the ground in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC. However, the odds of being struck are less than 1 in a million, and nearly 90% of people struck by lightning survive, the CDC reports.

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According to the National Weather Service, there have been at least 3 lightning-related deaths in 2025: North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas. 

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The Source: This story was written based on information gathered from the Florida Department of Health and shared by Volusia County Beach Patrol on June 20, 2025.

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