Video shows Florida lightning strike near wildlife expert. Here’s how to protect yourself

Over the last few months, lightning strikes have been dominating headlines in Florida for unfortunate reasons.

In central Florida, a Minnesota mother and daughter is recovering after being struck by lightning in August at Sebastian Inlet Beach in Brevard County. According to their GoFundMe, the 12-year-old girl, Mila, has long-term side effects from the strike.

A month later, 16-year-old Baylee Holbrook was hunting with her father on Sept. 26 when a lightning bolt struck a tree and hit them, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. Her father, Matthew Holbrook, began performing CPR on Baylee once he gained consciousness and called 911, the sheriff's office said in the Facebook post.

When emergency officials arrived, she was taken to a local hospital where she was stabilized before being transferred to a trauma center. Baylee died the following morning surrounded by her family, the sheriff's office said.

Recently, wildlife expert and biologist Forrest Galante was in waist-deep water in Everglades City when a bolt of lightning bolt hit just next to him. "I got hit," he said in a YouTube video. "I felt it. Yeah, I got hit. That hurt."

With all of these incidents, here's what to know about the natural phenomena and how to stay safe when storms approach.

More:Lightning strike kills 16-year-old Florida girl who was out hunting with her dad

What is lightning?

Lightning is a giant spark of electricity in the atmosphere between clouds, the air, or the ground. It is caused by imbalances between storm clouds and the ground, or within the clouds themselves.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there are four different types of lightning:

• Intra-Cloud: The most common type of lightning. It happens completely inside the cloud, jumping betweendifferent charge regions in the cloud. Intra-cloud lightning is sometimes called sheet lightning because itlights up the sky with a 'sheet' of light.
• Cloud to Cloud: Lightning that occurs between two or more separate clouds.
• Cloud to Ground: Lightning that occurs between the cloud and the ground.
• Cloud to Air: Lightning that occurs when the air around a positively charged cloud top reaches out to thenegatively charged air around it.

How hot can a lightning bolt get?

Lightning is five times hotter than the surface of the sun, with the temperatures of a bolt reaching roughly 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the maximum voltage of lightning?

A typical lightning flash is about 300 million Volts and about 30,000 Amps. NOAA shares that in comparison, the average household current is 120 Volts and 15 Amps.

How do people get struck by lightning? 

According to experts, it's in one of four ways: 

• Direct strike: The person becomes a part of the main discharge channel, usually when outside in an open area.
• Side flash: Lightning strikes a tall object and part of the current jumps from the object to the victim − for example, when a person is struck while standing under a tree
• Ground current: Lightning enters the body at the point closest to a strike, travels through the body and leaves at the contact point farthest away from the initial strike. This causes most deaths and injuries.
• Conduction: This is the cause of most indoor lightning deaths and injuries. Lightning travels through wires and other metal surfaces.

How common are lightning strikes in Florida?

Lightning strikes are so common in Florida that it has been dubbed the "Lightning Capitol of the U.S."

Florida averages 70 to 100 days per year with at least one thunderstorm in some part of the state. Florida has 3,500 cloud to ground lightning flashes per day and roughly 1.2 million flashes per year occur, during a recent 10-year study according to Vaisala.

Where is 'Lightning Alley' in Florida?

There's tornado alley, what about lightning alley?

The corridor from Tampa Bay to Titusville is referred to as "Lightning Alley." It receives the most lightning in the United States on an annual basis, according to NWS Melbourne.

More than 90% of the lightning in this area occurs from May through October, between the hours of noon and midnight.

Why is lightning so intense in Florida?

Florida's topography of being surrounded by water makes it a favored environment for thunderstorms, especially during the summer months. Meteorologist Maureen McCann wrote that sea breeze-driven activity often sparks thunderstorms during the state's wet season.

How many people a year get killed by lightning in Florida?

As Florida is known as one of the most active areas for lightning strikes, more people are killed by them than any other state in the U.S. Between 2013 and 2022, there were 51 lightning fatalities in Florida, with Texas ranking second with 19 lightning deaths.

How can you prepare for lightning?

Check the forecast if you're going to be outside, such as at a sporting event or a concert. Make sure to watch the skies and be aware of any changes in weather.

If forecasts show thunderstorms in the future, plan ahead of time where you should seek shelter once the storm hits. Once you hear thunder, head indoors.

How can I stay safe when lightning is near?

If you're caught in a thunderstorm and need to find shelter quickly, USA Today offers these tips:

• Choose one that is large and enclosed with plumbing and electrical wiring. 
• Don’t shelter in buildings with exposed openings, such as metal sheds, picnic pavilions, baseball dugouts and porches. 
• If a shelter isn't available, keep moving to search for a safe place. Don’t lie down or crouch on the ground. Avoid trees, light poles, metal fences, bleachers and unprotected open buildings.
• A car or truck can be an option of last resort, but don’t touch the steering wheel, radio or ignition.
• The following vehicles aren’t safe shelters: convertibles, golf carts, tractors and construction equipment. 

How can I minimize the risk of lightning hitting my home?

Once inside, the CDC shares that you should avoid turning on any water and do not touch any electronic equipment, as well as avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete.

As for protecting your home from future strikes, there are a few things to consider:

• Getting a lightning protection system with lightning rods installed
• Ensuring your lightning protection system includes whole-home surge protection
• Making sure your electronics and appliances are unplugged ahead of any possible thunderstorms