It's Lightning Safety Awareness Week. These images show power, beauty of natural phenomenon.

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
·3 min read

In recognition of National Lightning Safety Awareness Week (June 18-24) we have found these 35 amazing lightning photos from our archives − from Fort Myers Beach to Marco Island.

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week started in 2001 in order to call attention to lightning being an underrated killer. Since then, U.S. lightning fatalities has dropped from about 55 per year to less than 30. Florida is especially vulnerable to lightning strikes based on atmospheric conditions that exist in the summer and fall here.

Fort Myers Beach Pier

Before Hurricane Ian cam along on Sept. 28, 2022, the Fort Myers Beach Pier was the place to hang out for locals and tourists. Hurricane Ian destroyed the pier and all that remains standing are its cement pillars. It is unknown when the pier will be rebuilt. The News-Press photographers Andrew West took these stunning lightning photos at the pier.

Fort Myers Beach

Fort Myers Beach is a popular place in Southwest Florida to catch a lightning show in the summer months.

A lightning storm lights up Southwest Florida on Thursday, July 25, 2020. Different types of lightning were observed and photographed including some cases of spider lightning. Photographed from Bowditch Point Park on Fort Myers Beach. Photographed with a Canon 1Dx Mark II set at ISO 500 at 13-15 seconds on a tripod at aperture f/8.
A lightning storm lights up Southwest Florida on Thursday, July 25, 2020. Different types of lightning were observed and photographed including some cases of spider lightning. Photographed from Bowditch Point Park on Fort Myers Beach. Photographed with a Canon 1Dx Mark II set at ISO 500 at 13-15 seconds on a tripod at aperture f/8.
A lightning storm lights up Southwest Florida on Thursday, July 25, 2020. Different types of lightning were observed and photographed including some cases of spider lightning. Photographed from Bowditch Point Park on Fort Myers Beach. Photographed with a Canon 1Dx Mark II set at ISO 500 at 13-15 seconds on a tripod at aperture f/8. This image is lit from lightning from behind the photographer.

Mantanzas Pass Bridge

The Matanzas Pass Bridge is located in Fort Myers Beach. It connects State Road 865 between the mainland and Estero Island. It is 65-feet high.

A bolt of lightning lights up a cloud over Matanzas Pass on Fort Myers Beach on Sunday, July 4, 2021.
A bolt of lightning lights up a cloud over Matanzas Pass on Fort Myers Beach on Sunday, July 4, 2021.

Downtown Fort Myers

Timing is everything. The News-Press visual journalist Andrew West captured this image of a lightning bolt above the Fort Myers skyline.

Sanibel Causeway

The Sanibel Causeway is still standing after Hurricane Ian, although it was severely damaged and was closed for weeks after the storm. It is currently being rebuilt but there is access to the island from Fort Myers. The causeway is right up there with the Fort Myers Beach Pier as far as most notable landmarks in Southwest Florida and most photographed.

A bolt of lightning strikes near the Sanibel Causeway on Friday 8/10/2018. Photographed using a Canon 1DX with a 1250 ISO at 30 sec at f/10. Shot from a safe distance with a wide angle lens.
A bolt of lightning strikes near the Sanibel Causeway on Friday 8/10/2018. Photographed using a Canon 1DX with a 1250 ISO at 30 sec at f/10. Shot from a safe distance with a wide angle lens.
A lone lightning bolt strikes off of the Sanibel Causeway on July 15, 2019. It is the season as lightning storms pass through the area.
A lone lightning bolt strikes off of the Sanibel Causeway on July 15, 2019. It is the season as lightning storms pass through the area.
A lightning storm lights up Southwest Florida on Thursday, July 25, 2020. Different types of lightning were observed and photographed including some cases of spider lightning. Photographed from Bowditch Point Park on Fort Myers Beach. Photographed with a Canon 1Dx Mark II set at ISO 500 at 13-15 seconds on a tripod at aperture f/8.
A lightning storm lights up Southwest Florida on Thursday, July 25, 2020. Different types of lightning were observed and photographed including some cases of spider lightning. Photographed from Bowditch Point Park on Fort Myers Beach. Photographed with a Canon 1Dx Mark II set at ISO 500 at 13-15 seconds on a tripod at aperture f/8.
Lightning strikes off of the Sanibel Causeway on July 15, 2019. It is the season as lightning storms pass through the area.
Lightning strikes off of the Sanibel Causeway on July 15, 2019. It is the season as lightning storms pass through the area.
Bolts of lightning strike near the Sanibel Causeway on Friday 8/10/2018. Photographed using a Canon 1DX with a 1250 ISO at 30 sec at f/10. Shot from a safe distance with a wide angle lens.
Bolts of lightning strike near the Sanibel Causeway on Friday 8/10/2018. Photographed using a Canon 1DX with a 1250 ISO at 30 sec at f/10. Shot from a safe distance with a wide angle lens.
Bolts of lightning strike near the Sanibel Causeway on Friday 8/10/2018. Photographed using a Canon 1DX with a 1250 ISO at 30 sec at f/10. Shot from a safe distance with a wide angle lens.
Bolts of lightning strike near the Sanibel Causeway on Friday 8/10/2018. Photographed using a Canon 1DX with a 1250 ISO at 30 sec at f/10. Shot from a safe distance with a wide angle lens.

Sanibel's Blind Pass

Blind Pass is one of the most beautiful places in all of Southwest Florida. It stretches across a pass between Sanibel and Captiva islands that connects the ocean to an intracoastal waterway.

Lakes Park

Lakes Park is in south Fort Myers and not far from the beach, so it is a prime location to catch lightning dancing in the sky.

A bolt of lightning and the tentacles associated with it strikes in Fort Myers near Lakes Park on Thursday 9/6/2018 evening. The bolt was associated with a thick thunderstorm that rolled through the area.
A bolt of lightning and the tentacles associated with it strikes in Fort Myers near Lakes Park on Thursday 9/6/2018 evening. The bolt was associated with a thick thunderstorm that rolled through the area.

Bonita Springs' Dog Beach Park

Bonita Beach Dog Park is a Lee County dog beach located along the edge of Lover's Key State Park in Fort Myers Beach. This off-leash beach allows dogs to run around and play in the shallow, calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Marco Island

Known for its beaches and resorts and sheer beauty, Marco Island can be a spectacular location to see Mother Nature putting on a show. Bring your camera!

Friday Night Football

In late August high school football returns to Southwest Florida and for about a six-week period the games are often delayed or outright canceled due to inclement weather. This includes dangerous lightning. Our photographers have taken these images at football games through the years:

Storms led to the postponement of a number of high school football games on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 including this one at Mariner High School between the Tritons and Estero.
Storms led to the postponement of a number of high school football games on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 including this one at Mariner High School between the Tritons and Estero.
Lightning strikes in Southwest Florida.
Lightning strikes in Southwest Florida.

More amazing lightning photos from our archives

Haven't seen enough? Here is a gallery of some of our best lighting photos through the years:

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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lightning Safety Awareness Week: tips on how to avoid being struck