3 Struck by Lightning on Nude Beach

An afternoon at a Miami-Dade County nude beach turned tragic Wednesday when three people were struck by lightning.

Lifeguards on the clothing-optional portion of Haulover Beach had just ordered swimmers from the water due to stormy weather when lightning struck at 4:15 p.m., NBC reported. Two people were in the water at the time and a third person collapsed when trying to go in to help, the network noted.

All three suffered injuries. One man was airlifted to a local hospital while two others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, WTOP reported.

The identities of those struck and their current conditions are not readily available.

Haulover Beach Park “contains the largest remaining stretch of undeveloped beach front in Miami-Dade County,” the county’s website states. The northern third of the beach is designated a “clothing optional” zone.

See Also:

• Lightning Deaths on the Rise, National Weather Service Warns
• 81-Year-Old Largo Man Killed by Lightning Strike

Also on Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued an alert about the number of lightning-related deaths being on the rise across America. So far in 2015, the country has witnessed 22 deaths. The number, officials fear, will top the 26 recorded in 2014.

Florida has seen three lightning-related deaths so far in 2015. One of those deaths occurred in Largo when an 81-year-old man was out walking in his neighborhood in June. The state has led the nation in lightning-related deaths for the past few years. Last year, Florida recorded six deaths attributed to lightning, according to the weather service.

In an effort to turn the tide, the weather service has created a webpage dedicated to lightning safety and offers residents across the country these tips to stay safe in storms:

• Get inside
• Understand that if thunder is heard, lightning is close enough to strike
• Stay inside until at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder is heard
• Once inside, stay off corded phones, computers and other electronic equipment
• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets
• Steer clear of windows, doors and porches
• Do not lie on concrete floors or rest against concrete walls

For more information about lightning safety, visit the National Weather Service online.

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