As storms continue to move across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, lightning safety remains a concern, particularly after strikes killed two Ware County teens and sent two more people to the hospital in St. Augustine Beach.
RELATED: 2 Ware County teens killed by lightning strike while fishing, mayor says
Joey Nelson Jr., 18, and Randall Martin III, 19, lost their lives Thursday night after a lightning strike while they were out fishing.
The National Weather Service says the teens were in an open field near a vehicle in Waresboro when lightning hit during a severe storm around 9:05 p.m. Family members found them unresponsive about an hour later.
Both young men were described as standout athletes for the Ware County High School football team.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT: GoFundMe for Martin’s family | GoFundMe for Nelson’s family
Then, less than 24 hours later, a house fire in St. Johns County was believed to have been ignited by a lightning strike. Thankfully, SJC Fire Rescue said nobody was home at the time.
And on Saturday, lightning struck the St. Augustine Beach Pier. One person was airlifted in serious condition, and another was sent to the hospital from that incident.
St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell said these serve as a reminder to be careful when thunder or lightning is involved.
“The perfect world, you’d have all the signs and signals out there that you can, but at the end of the day, people still need to take caution when you see clouds rolling in summertime,” Rumrell said. “This is when most of this happens...You just gotta be careful...You see the storms rolling in [and] you hear the thunder, seek shelter.”
According to the National Weather Service of Jacksonville, the United States has had over 500 documented lightning deaths since 2006, with six occurring so far in 2025. The year with the most fatal lightning strikes in the last decade was 2016, with 40 deaths happening that year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls Florida the “lightning capital” of the country, with more than 2,000 injuries over the past 50 years. Both Florida and Georgia rank among the top states for lightning-related deaths.
“From 1959 to 2024, there were 528 fatalities in (Florida). Last year, five of the 12 lightning deaths nationwide happened right here in Florida,” Rumrell said.
Fishing is the most common activity among those impacted — accounting for 42 deaths — about 9%. Beaching, boating, and farming round out the top 4 activities, which, when combined, make up about one quarter of lightning fatalities.
NWS advises that “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors,” reminding the public that when thunder can be heard, a lightning strike is possible in your vicinity. The agency recommends seeking shelter immediately and refraining from using corded appliances or any equipment that requires contact with electrical systems.
Other safety advice includes:
- Stay inside a sturdy building or a hard-topped vehicle with windows up
- Avoid open fields, hilltops, and wide-open spaces
- Don’t take shelter under trees or near tall isolated objects
- Stay away from water — including pools, lakes, and beaches
- Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before going back outside
“Do NOT seek shelter under tall, isolated trees or partially enclosed structures,” the NWS said. “Ensure that you are familiar with the latest weather forecast for your area. If thunderstorms are possible or expected, curtail your outdoor activities during that time, or ensure that you have constant access to a sturdy, fully enclosed shelter, such as a home or business.”
