Lightning Strike Kills One, Injures Three

A lightning strike killed one person and injured three others on Fort Myers Beach Friday afternoon, officials said.

Rescue crews responded to the Island Winds condominiums on Estero Boulevard, where they found one person unresponsive and others hurt. A bystander had already begun CPR and deployed an AED before paramedics arrived.

The unresponsive victim did not survive despite the resuscitation efforts, the Fort Myers Beach Fire District said. The three others were taken to a hospital, with no word yet on their conditions.

Officials urged residents and visitors to stay out of the water and seek shelter at the first sign of lightning. “Please keep yourself and your family safe,” the fire district said.

Orange County Studies Air Taxi Sites

Orange County is drawing up the ground rules for electric air taxis before any of them arrive, starting with a feasibility study that flags potential vertiport sites.

The county-commissioned study points to the International Drive corridor, near Orlando International Airport and the proposed Sunshine Corridor rail expansion, as one of the strongest early candidates. County Commissioner Michael Scott said the goal is to get ahead of the infrastructure question rather than react to it later.

No vertiports have been approved, and no developer has filed a formal application yet. The study recommends notifying residents within a mile of any proposed site and holding public meetings before projects move forward.

“It’s new technology, so a little bit of it’s scary,” Scott said, adding that he wants to keep an open line with nearby community associations. County staff will spend months reviewing zoning before any policy changes go to a vote.

Florida’s Data Center Law Takes Effect

Florida’s new law regulating AI data centers, SB 484, took effect July 1, requiring the facilities to cover their own utility costs instead of passing them on to households.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill in May at a Lakeland event, saying it would “protect our citizens and communities from hyperscale data centers,” and calling it the first law of its kind in the country. It also preserves local governments’ authority to reject or restrict data center projects through zoning and land-use rules.

Some Democrat lawmakers said the final version doesn’t go far enough, since state and local agencies can still keep a company’s expansion plans secret for up to a year. The bill passed with bipartisan support, clearing the Senate 31-6 and the House 92-16.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Jacksonville: The city has landed an $11 million grant to modernize and storm-harden the commercial docks at Mayport Village. The funding supports redevelopment of the historic fishing village’s working waterfront. (See Details)

➤ Washington County: Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a 17th-century Spanish mission, San Carlos, buried beneath a church in Chipley. A state grant will fund continued excavation of the roughly 350-year-old site. (More)

➤ Pinellas County: A bomb squad destroyed an unstable explosive device found in a St. Petersburg home’s garage on 8th Street North Thursday, burying and detonating it in the backyard. (See Details)

➤ Weston: A lightning strike sparked a half-acre fire at Sawgrass Recreation Park Friday night, but a passing thunderstorm helped extinguish it about 30 minutes later. (More)

➤ Seminole County: The Central Florida Zoo introduced two of the sloths in its care, Dolce and Pearl, both Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths with distinct personalities. Zoo officials say the animals are being closely monitored by keepers. (See Photos)

➤ St. Petersburg: The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County and the YMCA of the Suncoast are offering adaptive swim lessons for neurodivergent children, who face sharply higher drowning risks. (See Details)

Enjoy reading Flyover Florida? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ If you’re sitting on untapped home equity, Money.com says you may be able to turn it into cash for renovations, debt consolidation, or major expenses without touching your savings. Their latest guide compares top home equity loan and HELOC lenders, breaks down current rates, and explains how homeowners can access funds with predictable monthly payments. LEARN MORE

Flying together with our sponsor

Don’t wait for a $10,000 veterinary bill

Vet costs are rising fast—a single emergency visit can now cost up to $10,000, turning an unexpected illness or injury into a major financial hit. Pet insurance helps cover a portion of eligible vet bills for accidents and illnesses, so you can focus on your pet’s care instead of the cost. Lemonade Pet Insurance makes it easy and affordable, with customizable coverage, fast digital claims, and plans starting at just $10/month. Protect your pet before the next vet bill hits—get a quote from Lemonade Pet Insurance today.

FIND AFFORDABLE CARE

Would you ride an electric air taxi over Orlando?

1. Sign me up
2. Maybe, once it’s proven safe
3. No thanks
4. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

What do you think of the Magic Kingdom ride It’s a Small World?

1. Love it: 38%
2. Indifferent: 32%
3. Never ridden it: 19%
4. Hate it: 12%

What is the highest natural point in the entire state of Florida—and how many feet above sea level is it?

Show me the answer