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NewsWSVN 7 News MiamiSeptember 14, 2026Miami-Dade County

Winter Garden Police rescue couple struck by lightning on a local trail

Photo: WSVN 7 News Miami

Winter Garden Police rescued a couple who was struck by lightning while walking along a trail on Sept. 2. The incident follows a separate fatal lightning strike in Celebration and highlights Florida's high rate of lightning-related casualties.

Public SafetyWeather EmergenciesPolice ResponseFlorida Weather
Read the full story at WSVN 7 News Miami

Why It Matters

Residents are reminded of the local risk of severe weather and lightning strikes, which have caused six deaths in Florida and 15 nationwide this year.

Key Facts

  • Winter Garden Police rescued Aaron and Clare Walenga after they were struck by lightning while walking on a trail on Sept. 2.
  • Aaron Walenga was found on the ground grunting in pain and barely responsive, while his wife was initially unresponsive.
  • The incident marks two of three people struck by lightning within a week in Central Florida.
  • A 20-year-old named Matthew Jenkins was struck and killed by lightning last Tuesday in Celebration.
  • Jenkins' death marks the sixth lightning-related fatality in Florida this year.
  • Lightning has killed 15 people across the United States so far this year.
  • Experts advise anyone who hears thunder to go indoors immediately.

Who's Mentioned

locationUnited States“Nationwide lightning fatality statistics”PersonClare Walenga“Lightning strike victim in Winter Garden”locationWinter Garden“Location of the lightning strike rescue”PersonAaron Walenga“Lightning strike victim in Winter Garden”locationFlorida“State noted as a lightning hot spot”OrganizationNational Weather Service“Provided weather statistics and safety warnings”PersonWill Ulrich“National Weather Service official”OrganizationSunbeam Television Corp.“Copyright holder for the news article”locationCentral Florida“Region where multiple lightning incidents occurred”OrganizationWinter Garden Police“Responded to the lightning strike incident”PersonMatthew Jenkins“Lightning strike fatality in Celebration”locationCelebration“Location of a fatal lightning strike”