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St. John's County, FL - Three people were injured Saturday after a lightning strike occurred at the St. Augustine Pier, according to St. Johns County Fire Rescue.
Emergency crews from St. Johns County and the St. Augustine Fire Department responded to the scene shortly after the strike.
One individual was transported to a nearby trauma center in critical condition.
A second person was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, and a third person declined medical transport.
Authorities reported that people were present on the pier, beach and in the water when the lightning struck.
Witnesses described a visible flash followed by a loud thunderclap, after which beachgoers quickly sought shelter in vehicles.
The pier was closed to allow crews to conduct a structural assessment.
It is expected to reopen on Monday following safety inspections.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue issued a reminder to the public regarding lightning safety, stating, “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
The incident in St. Augustine comes two weeks after a separate lightning strike at Dominion Beach Park in South Carolina injured 20 individuals, including 12 children.
In that case, lightning reportedly struck a lake while people were swimming.
According to the National Weather Service, six people have died from lightning strikes in the United States so far in 2025.
Reported fatalities occurred in Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas.