WATCH: Florida Woman Narrowly Escapes as Lightning Strikes Yard Behind Her [VIDEO]

A Normal Errand Turns Into a Near Miss

Jessika Gonzalez was unloading her car in Florida while her children waited in the garage when the sky decided to make a point. Ring doorbell footage shows bright flashes, then Gonzalez slamming the car door and running for cover as lightning strikes the yard behind her. The bolt hit close enough to start a fire in the grass, which is the sort of home security alert nobody wants, even with high-definition video.

She Felt Sparks and Heard the Kids Screaming

Gonzalez told Storyful that it felt like “a firecracker was lit next to me and the sparks were hitting me.” She said she ran into the garage in shock while the children screamed. Thankfully, she was not injured. That detail matters most. The video is dramatic, but the real story is a mother getting inside just in time while a storm turned a routine trip from the car into a very close call.

Florida’s Lightning Risk Is Not Just Weather Theater

Lightning is common in summer storms, especially in Florida. The United States sees about 270 lightning strikes involving people each year, according to figures cited in reports on the incident. Florida leads the country in strikes and casualties, with about seven fatal lightning strikes a year and another 20 to 30 injuries. So yes, the “Sunshine State” branding is still doing a lot of public relations work during thunderstorm season.

The Camera Caught What Warnings Often Miss

The footage is a useful reminder that lightning safety is not just something for golfers, boaters, or people waving metal poles around like they are auditioning for a bad idea contest. If thunder is close, the smart move is to get inside and stay there. The strike behind Gonzalez shows how fast danger can arrive, and how little time people may have once a storm is already overhead.

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