Florida Records First 2025 Lightning Death at New Smyrna Beach

A 29-year-old Colorado man tragically died after being struck by lightning while standing in ankle-deep water on New Smyrna Beach, Florida, during his honeymoon. The lightning strike occurred despite clear blue skies and the storm being several miles away, an extremely rare and unexpected event. Lifeguards and emergency responders performed CPR on-site and transported him to a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. On the same day, two golfers in New Smyrna Beach were indirectly struck by lightning but did not require hospitalization. Local officials and the Volusia County Sheriff expressed condolences to the man's wife and emphasized the dangers of lightning even when the sky appears clear, urging people to seek shelter when thunder is heard. Florida, known as the lightning capital of the U.S., experiences more lightning strikes per square mile than any other state, making awareness and caution critical.