Latest news with #StJohnsCountyFireRescue
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Florida beachgoers struck by lightning
By Three people were injured after being struck by lightning on a packed Florida beach. The terrifying incident occurred at the St. Augustine Pier, a popular spot for vacationers and locals alike, on Saturday night. A sudden storm rolled in and bolts of lightning lit up the sky on beachgoers. Two of the victims were rushed to the hospital with one reportedly in critical condition, according to WJXT. The other suffered minor injuries and a third person declined medical treatment despite being hit. St. John's County Fire Rescue closed the pier and began inspecting it for damage while treating the injured. Officials said they expect it to reopen Monday. St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell urged residents and visitors to take incoming storms seriously. 'There's a big storm and lightning can hit at any time,' he told News4Jax. If you hear thunder, seek shelter immediately, he emphasized. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the lightning struck. 'All of a sudden in the corner of my eye, I see a big flash, two seconds later I hear this boom and now my ears are ringing,' a witness Jamar told the outlet. 'I'm confused on what just happened. I'm over here scared, shocked, I don't even know.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Multiple vacationers struck by lightening on popular Florida beach
Three people were injured after being struck by lightning on a packed Florida beach. The terrifying incident occurred at the St. Augustine Pier, a popular spot for vacationers and locals alike, on Saturday night. A sudden storm rolled in and bolts of lightning lit up the sky on beachgoers. Two of the victims were rushed to the hospital with one reportedly in critical condition, according to WJXT. The other suffered minor injuries and a third person declined medical treatment despite being hit. St. John's County Fire Rescue closed the pier and began inspecting it for damage while treating the injured. Officials said they expect it to reopen Monday. 'Please avoid the pier while emergency operations are underway — and remember, when thunder roars, go indoors,' the department warned in a Facebook post. 'Stay safe and weather aware.' Two of the victims were rushed to the hospital with one reportedly in critical condition. The other suffered minor injuries and a third person declined medical treatment despite being hit St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell urged residents and visitors to take incoming storms seriously. 'There's a big storm and lightning can hit at any time,' he told News4Jax. If you hear thunder, seek shelter immediately, he emphasized. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the lightning struck. 'All of a sudden in the corner of my eye, I see a big flash, two seconds later I hear this boom and now my ears are ringing,' a witness Jamar told the outlet. 'I'm confused on what just happened. I'm over here scared, shocked, I don't even know.' The strike follows a string of lightning-related incidents this year. According to the National Weather Service, six people in the U.S. have died from lightning strikes in 2025 alone. Fatalities reported in North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and Oklahoma. On average, about 20 people die each year from lightning across the country.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Summer beach day turns dangerous as lightning strikes three at St. Augustine Pier in Florida
Three people were injured after being struck by lightning in a popular summer beach getaway town on Saturday night. Two of the victims of the strike in St. Augustine Pier in Florida were transported to the hospital, one in critical condition and one with minor injuries, according to Wjxt. A third person refused to be taken to the hospital. The pier was closed down while fire crews attended to the injured, and it was inspected for damage. It is expected to reopen on Monday. Mother Nature Steals The Show As Lightning Sets Off Florida Fireworks Display "Please avoid the pier while emergency operations are underway — and remember, when thunder roars, go indoors," St. John's County Fire Rescue said in a Facebook post. "Stay safe and weather aware." St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell echoed that sentiment, warning residents to seek shelter if they hear thunder. Read On The Fox News App "There's a big storm and lightning can hit at any time," he reportedly said. According to the report, the lightning strike left beachgoers, swimmers and surfers in a panic, and many ran for their cars in the immediate aftermath. Lightning Strike Injures 20 At Popular South Carolina Vacation Getaway "I got scared, everybody was scared," said one witness. According to the National Weather Service, there have been six lightning strike fatalities in the United Sates in 2025, all in different states. North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Florida and Oklahoma have all seen fatal strikes. The 10-year average annual fatality rate from lightning strikes is 20 people per year. To reduce the risk of being struck by lightning, the National Weather Service instructs people to immediately move away from high ground, including hills, mountain ridges or peaks. The organization says never to lie down to avoid lightning, never to hide under an isolated tree, never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter and to immediately move away from bodies of water and anything that conducts article source: Summer beach day turns dangerous as lightning strikes three at St. Augustine Pier in Florida
Fox News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Fox News
Summer beach day turns dangerous as lightning strikes three at St. Augustine Pier in Florida
Three people were injured after being struck by lightning in a popular summer beach getaway town on Saturday night. Two of the victims of the strike in St. Augustine Pier in Florida were transported to the hospital, one in critical condition and one with minor injuries, according to WJXT. A third person refused to be taken to the hospital. The pier was closed down while fire crews attended to the injured, and it was inspected for damage. It is expected to reopen on Monday. "Please avoid the pier while emergency operations are underway — and remember, when thunder roars, go indoors," St. John's County Fire Rescue said in a Facebook post. "Stay safe and weather aware." St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell echoed that sentiment, warning residents to seek shelter if they hear thunder. "There's a big storm and lightning can hit at any time," he reportedly said. According to the report, the lightning strike left beachgoers, swimmers and surfers in a panic, and many ran for their cars in the immediate aftermath. "I got scared, everybody was scared," said one witness. According to the National Weather Service, there have been six lightning strike fatalities in the United Sates in 2025, all in different states. North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Florida and Oklahoma have all seen fatal strikes. The 10-year average annual fatality rate from lightning strikes is 20 people per year. To reduce the risk of being struck by lightning, the National Weather Service instructs people to immediately move away from high ground, including hills, mountain ridges or peaks. The organization says never to lie down to avoid lightning, never to hide under an isolated tree, never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter and to immediately move away from bodies of water and anything that conducts electricity.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Yahoo
Worker dies after fall from 15-foot ladder at St. Augustine City Hall
A man hospitalized after falling from a 15-foot ladder in the courtyard of St. Augustine City Hall has died, according to the company he worked for. Blanchard Caulking and Coating, a commercial waterproofing business, confirmed to Times-Union news partner First Coast News that its employee died following the June 20 incident. Workplace accident: OSHA issues citations in St. Augustine gas station explosion St. Johns County Fire Rescue said the middle-aged man was taken to Flagler Hospital after falling off the ladder and was in life-threatening condition at that time. The St. Augustine Police Department said on Facebook that City Hall would close at noon and reopen 8 a.m. June 23. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Worker falls to his death at St. Augustine City Hall
