Man Fighting for His Life After Lightning Strike at Lake Jovita in Dade City

A man is in critical condition and fighting for his life after being struck directly by lightning Monday afternoon in the Palmilla Circle area inside the Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club community in Dade City, according to Pasco County emergency officials. The strike happened during an afternoon storm that moved through the area on July 6, 2026.

Pasco County Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene, where first responders immediately began life-saving CPR in an effort to revive the man, officials said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition.

Details are still developing. Because the strike happened only a few hours ago, authorities have released limited information as they continue to gather facts.

What officials have confirmed

• Where: The Palmilla Circle area, a neighborhood inside the Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club community in Dade City.
• What happened: A bolt of lightning struck a man directly during an afternoon thunderstorm.
• Response: Pasco County Fire Rescue crews performed CPR at the scene before transporting the man to a hospital.
• Condition: The man suffered critical, life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition.

What is still unknown

Officials have not released the man's name, age, or whether he lives in the Lake Jovita community. It is also unclear what he was doing outside — golfing, yard work, or something else — when the storm rolled in.

A dangerous week for storms

The strike comes as Central Florida experiences heightened thunderstorm activity this week. Florida is widely known as the lightning capital of the United States, and the corridor running through the Tampa Bay region sees some of the most lightning strikes in the country, according to weather and emergency-management sources.

On average, lightning kills roughly seven to ten people each year in Florida — often more than any other state — and injures many more, according to emergency-management and university safety resources. Many of those strikes happen during the state's afternoon summer storms, which can build quickly and catch people outdoors.

How to stay safe as storms build

Emergency officials urge residents to take afternoon storms seriously, especially golfers, walkers, and anyone doing yard work when skies begin to darken. Safety experts recommend a few simple steps:

• Check the forecast before heading outdoors and plan an escape route to a safe building.
• Don't wait for rain — lightning can strike miles away from where it's raining, even under blue sky.
• Get off open ground, water, and elevated areas; avoid tall isolated trees and metal objects.
• Once indoors, stay away from windows, plumbing, and corded electronics.

Anyone who sees a person struck by lightning should call 911 immediately. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch, and starting CPR quickly can save a life.

Our thoughts are with the man and his family as he fights for his life. This is a developing story, and details from officials remain limited for now.

Stay with Dade City Community Website for updates as this story develops. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and share safety tips or well-wishes by joining the conversation in our Community Forum. For more on local emergencies and severe weather, read more public-safety and alerts stories.