Authorities say six people working on a roof in a Florida subdivision have been injured by lightning.
The Palm Beach Post reports that the lightning hit a Wellington apartment building on the afternoon of July 30.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office says a woman took a direct hit from the lightning bolt as she stood next to an air conditioning unit and fell two stories, while a man fell from a ladder and struck his head on pavement. They were both taken to a West Palm Beach hospital.
Six people were struck by #lightning yesterday in #Florida. Our affiliate @CBS12 reports the victims were working on a roof when they were hit. Four individuals were transported to area hospitals for their injuries, while two others were released. #FLwx pic.twitter.com/gczms2b1hP
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) July 31, 2019
Officials say two other victims were also hospitalized, and two were treated at the scene.
Police didn’t immediately identify the injured or the company they were working for.
No severe weather warnings had been issued before the lightning strike.
Similar Incident
A lightning strike on July 21 at a Florida beach injured eight people, Clearwater Police Department Lt. Michael Ogliaruso said.
Witnesses reported seeing the eight people either falling or being thrown when the lightning struck Clearwater Beach, near Tampa, Ogliaruso told CNN.
One man in his 40s was directly hit by the strike, fire rescue officials told CNN affiliate WFTS-TV. The man went into cardiac arrest and is in critical condition, WFTS reported.
Three employees of a Jet Ski rental company and two foreign tourists were among the injured, though the extent of their injuries was unclear, Ogliaruso said.
Four people, including the man struck by lightning, were taken to the hospital, Ogliaruso said.
Three of those taken to the hospital had non-life threatening injuries. The three others involved declined treatment.
It’s not uncommon for people to stay on the beach and watch the storms, Ogliaruso said.
“It was one of those bad Florida storms. It came and now it’s gone sunny and clear out,” Ogliaruso said. “As dangerous as they are, they’re also pretty spectacular.”
Clearwater Fire and Rescue told WFTS that beachgoers should take cover and go to a safe place when lightning and thunder storms are in the vicinity.
“Clearwater Fire and Rescue uses the phrase: When you hear the roar, go indoors,” the fire department said.
The CNN Wire contributed to this report.
