Stories

Lighting and Thunderbolts. 
Lakemont Cove, Sunday, April 15, 2007. It was a nice, sunny, Sunday morning. We had visitors from Jacksonville. George and Rosemary arrived on Friday April 13, 2007, after a not so good journey, with all traffic on I75. ( Keep off that road ). We had a super day on the Saturday, going down to Naples; to Clam Pass Park, then on to First Watch at Lowdermilk Park for Brunch. On to Cambia Park for an Arts Festival; home for tea and cakes. Then for a splendid meal at the “Blue Moon Café “ on Old 41. We had looked at the weather forecast on the Saturday night. A cold front and the occasional storm passing thru at 12 noon on Sunday. Little did we realize what was to develop. George and Rosemary set off at 11.00am in bright sunshine. June and I were reading the papers and having a coffee and doughnut, when the rain started. No sign of what was to arrive. 12.00 noon a thunderbolt hit the Unit opposite; ( Unit 24808 ) on the apex of the roof. Metal came down from the soffits and cement from the roof tiles. Our peace was shattered. Within 10 mins, 2 Fire Trucks had arrived and within the hour there were 4 Fire Trucks; 2 Fire Rescue Vans; 3 Pelican Landing Security cars; 15 Firemen and numerous onlookers. Fortunately the residents of Unit 24808 were not in house. Some were at church, some were shopping; some were up north. One hour later the sun was out. Our friends had stopped at Perkins on I75 while driving north thru the storm, which was coming south. We have survived. The cable was down for 15hours. Within 24 hours the roof repairers were here and now, today, Tuesday April 17th, 2007, all is back to near normality. Another day in South West Florida. Our friends are now back in Jacksonville; 10 degrees cooler than here in Lakemont Cove. They did have some damage with fallen trees by lightening strikes; however, we have to realize that there is a price to pay for living in Paradise.
Reported by Brian Hemsworth, 24809 Lakemont Cove Lane # 201