Sunday Storm Causes Lightning Death, Fire, Lots Of Damage
POSTED: Sunday, July 11, 2004
UPDATED: 9:45 am EDT July 12,
2004
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Strong storms across northeast Florida Sunday afternoon caused one death, an apartment fire, spawned a possible tornado, downed numerous trees and knocked out power to thousands of homeowners.
Investigators said 35-year-old Jose Sylvester Santos of Hastings died after being struck by lightning while he was taking out his trash.
Lightning is also blamed for a fire at a southside Jacksonville apartment complex.
Fire investigators believe lightning sparked the blaze that damaged several units at the Evergreen Club Apartments off Southside Boulevard.
No one was hurt in the fire, but 13 people were displaced because of damage to their apartments, according to the American Red Cross.
In Union County, a possible tornado occurred near Raiford State Prison. The twister is believed to have touched down near the prison staff housing complex.
Heavy winds brought down power lines and knocked out electricity across the area Sunday. JEA told Channel 4 that about 39,000 customers were without power Sunday evening. That number is down to about 5,400 at 7 a.m. Monday.
The storms brought down many trees and limbs throughout northeast Florida. The Love Grove neighborhood was hit particularly hard, with up to 30 trees down in one small area.
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