As a recent reminder that Anna Maria Island is close to Lightning Alley, the corridor between Tampa and Orlando, which receives more lightning strikes than anywhere else in the United States, our immediate next-door neighbors, all too dramatically, were struck by lightning in almost the same place twice.

A strong thunderstorm seemed to be approaching our area, and I wondered whether it would be good to keep my distance from the kitchen window. Right at that moment, the view out the kitchen window filled with solid white light and the sound of a violent clap of thunder accompanied by a loud “clank” sound. The sound seemed to come from the neighbors’ direction, so I looked out the window at their flagpole, trees, house and boat. At first glance, everything looked as it usually did.

Only later did I learn that the boat on the lift had been struck. The electrical system was fried, metal parts were thrown from the boat, both outboard motors were destroyed, and, searching for the shortest way out, the lightning blew a hole through the hull. The insurance company decided it was a complete write-off. Not only that, the concrete seawall had been split where an electric chord crossed from the boat toward the house. They and we both lost televisions, and several homes in the neighborhood lost television cable service. The neighbor who lost the boat described a strange smell in the air when this happened.

Ten days later, when we were not at home, our neighbors experienced a second similar experience: simultaneous lightning and thunder, with an additional loud sound. They were certain lightning had hit either their house or ours. We came home to find our cable out again, with more damage to electronic devices connected to it. Our neighbors also lost more electronics. Fortunately, that was the extent of the damage this second time. My computer, which I had left plugged in, and turned on, was spared.

After all this, I was curious to learn more and did some research. Although I did not need confirmation that our properties had been struck, I was interested to read that the experience of a strike in the immediate area are a simultaneous flash and crackle, along with an additional sound, described as a snap. And there is a strange smell, which is attributed to ozone.

Lightning is a discharge of atmospheric electricity. Sixteen million lightning storms occur world-wide each year, and 70 percent of these are in the tropics. In Lightning Alley, between Tampa and Orlando, there are 20 lightning strikes per square kilometer, per year. It’s amazing to know there are places on earth that experience even more lightning than central Florida. (The highest number of strikes occurs in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where there are 158 strikes per square kilometer, per year.)

Of all the states, Florida has by far more deaths from lightning than any other state. In the years 1990 to 2003, there were 126 fatalities from lightning in Florida. The second-highest number of deaths for that period occurred in Texas, where there were 52.

These figures and more are posted on the Web site of the National Lightning Safety Institute in Louisville, Colo. The institute lists safety tips, which it urges people to reprint and distribute:

Lightning Protection Tips

1. PLAN in advance your evacuation and safety measures. When you first see lightning or hear thunder, activate your emergency plan. Now is the time to go to a building or a vehicle. Lightning often precedes rain, so don’t wait for the rain to begin before suspending activities.
2. IF OUTDOORS…Avoid water. Avoid the high ground. Avoid open spaces. Avoid all metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, power tools, etc. Unsafe places include underneath canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near trees. Where possible, find shelter in a substantial building or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle such as a car, truck or a van with the windows completely shut. If lightning is striking nearby when you are outside, you should: A. Crouch down. Put feet together. Place hands over ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder. B. Avoid proximity (minimum of 15 ft.) to other people.
3. IF INDOORS… Avoid water. Stay away from doors and windows. Do not use the telephone. Take off head sets. Turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools, & TV sets. Lightning may strike exterior electric and phone lines, inducing shocks to inside equipment.
4. SUSPEND ACTIVITIES for 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.
5. INJURED PERSONS do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely. Apply First Aid procedures to a lightning victim if you are qualified to do so. Call 911 or send for help immediately.
6. KNOW YOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS.

Source: National Lightning Safety Institute in Louisville, Colorado

The importance of taking precautions even when inside a structure is illustrated by the fact that almost 3 percent of deaths by lightning occur via the telephone.

While being aware and keeping yourself and family safe, you can also protect valuable electronics, TV, cable boxes, Internet modems, and telephone equipment from damage by lightning strikes and power spikes by using in-line surge protectors and whole house lightning surge protectors.

44th Annual Cortez Fishing Festival
February Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th, 2026, 10am to 6pm.

Located along the waterfront in front of Star Fish Company and AP Bell on 46th Ave W between 123rd St W and 124th St W, Cortez, Florida.

Featuring: Community displays, nautical and environmental art, food, live music, kid’s area, Cortez photo contest, fishermen’s fashion show Saturday, blue crab eating contest Sunday.

Admission $5 to benefit F.I.S.H. Preserve. Kids under 12 free.

Parking: The Boy Scouts in partnership with FISH will offer on-site parking at the Preserve, which is located one block east of Cortez Village, Cortez Road, for $5 donation. Bus and golf cart transportation to the festival entrance at 123rd St W will be provided.

Off-Site Parking is available at Cortez Road Baptist Church between 99th and 100th Street and Cortez Road with free shuttle to the festival provided by The Monkey Bus.

For festival information call 941-301-4000

The Cortez Photo Contest is presented by The Artists’ Guild Gallery of Anna Maria Island (AGGAMI). For further information please contact Janet Razze with AGGAMI at 941-779-5477. Online submission deadline is February 9.

The City of Holmes Beach will be holding a Hazardous Waste & E Scrap Drop-Off event at the Holmes Beach City Field on:

• Saturday – March 29, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday – March 30, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Dumpsters will be located at the City Field.

ELECTRONICS

• TVs
• Printers
• Hard Drives
• Computer Cords
• Etc.

HAZARDOUS WASTE

• Motor Oil
• Batteries
• Paint
• Cleans
• Etc

Coquina Beach, Manatee County E-Scrap Hazardous Waste Collection

Accepted items include:

• Solvents, paints, household chemicals, pesticides, oil
• Ammunition, flares, propane tanks, batteries, fluorescent lamps
• Mercury containing devices, computer components, televisions, copiers
• Video and audio equipment, and small household appliances

Unacceptable items include:

• Radioactive items such as smoke detectors
• Bio-hazard materials such as needles

For more information see mymanatee.org or call Manatee County Utilities Operations Department at 941-798-6761

There were 14 named storms of greater than gale force wind, same as recent year average. Of these, eight intensified to hurricane strength of over 72 mph, two of these became major hurricanes of over 111 mph sustained winds. Notably, August was the first time since 1997 that there was no storm at all.

Hurricane Ian tied for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to make landfall in the U.S., at Category 4 with 150 mph maximum sustained winds. Ian posed a severe threat to the southwest coast of Florida as it intensified after crossing the Dry Tortugas of Florida Keys September 28, then slammed into Costa Cayo near Punta Gorda, transited central Florida and exited the state at Cape Canaveral. It then continued north and made a third landfall at Georgtown South Carolina.

Hurricane Fiona made landfall as a Category 1 at Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Niccole was the season’s third U.S. landfall at Hutchinson Island Florida as a Category 1.

The forecast trajectory of Hurricane Ian put Anna Maria Island on watch several days ahead for proximal impact. The storm strengthened as it traveled up the west gulf coast. Expectations of a major catastrophe were in everyone’s minds as residents prepared to evacuate inland.

Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders, meaning local emergency services would not be available if people stayed. Usually the loss of electricity can be expected but alternative resources can be planned. Controversially they ordered the water supply shut off early in the days before the storm’s forecast arrival. Once off the island, return would require an official permit. Most people evacuated whether they wanted to or not.

As the forecast path fluctuated left and right, the angle of approach made projected landfall vary by 100’s of miles. Being on the east or west side of a counterclockwise rotating hurricane center can make a huge difference in wind strength and resultant impact.

Similarly to Hurricane Charley in 2004, Hurricane Ian trended right during the last few hours before landfall, lashing Anna Maria Island with gusty winds from the north but little rain, and no storm surge, while exploding into Captiva Island 70 miles south, leaving a devastating wake of crushed and submerged houses, downed trees, washed out bridge to the mainland, and flooded cars and boats over a wide swath from Fort Myers to Port Charlotte and inland. Storm surge was reported to be up to 18 feet above sea level. 114 people died.

Hurricane Nicole made an east coast landfall near Vero Beach, Florida, with 75 mph (120 km/h) sustained winds. Nicole then weakened to a tropical storm inland, as it moved across Central Florida. Later that day, its center briefly emerged over the Gulf of Mexico, north of Tampa, before moving onshore again northwest of Cedar Key. Impact on Anna Maria Island was minimal.

Complete List of Storms 2022

The first named storm Ana formed May 22, earlier than the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season of June 1 to November 30.

July 1 began with Hurricane Elsa, an early strong storm, causing major damage to Barbados then again on the US east coast after crossing northern Florida and Georgia.

The forecast trajectory of Elsa put Anna Maria Island on watch several days ahead for proximal impact but the storm weakened as it traveled up the west gulf coast as a tropical storm and passed by with below gale force wind and minor rain. The highest gust reported at Sarasota Airport was 54mph. About 2.8” rain fell locally. One Florida man was killed by a falling tree.

Hurricane Ida began August 23 in the Caribbean Sea and intensified rapidly into a category 1 hurricane as it hit Cuba with 80mph winds. Then Ida continued to strengthen over the warm Gulf of Mexico waters into a category 4 storm with 150mph winds, making landfall in Louisiana at a wind strength tying the records of 1856 and 2005 (Katrina).

Anna Maria Island and Florida west coast were unaffected.

The complete list of 2021 Atlantic named storms:

View detailed surf forecast for Anna Maria Key. Visit surf-forecast.com for more details, long range forecasts, surf reports, swell and weather maps.

Live beach cam: https://amipost.com/surf-cam-holmes-beach/

The forecast for the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season from June-November shows the likelihood for a near normal season, with 

• tropical cyclone activity at ~107% of normal anticipated 
• range of activity from 97-119% of normal 
• 17 named storms (average 14)
• 8 hurricanes  (average 7)
• 3 major hurricanes (average 3)

Unlike last season, the 2021 outlook does not include a hyperactive season within the expected range of outcomes, though there is very little chance for below normal activity this season. It should be noted that a “normal hurricane season” now represents higher levels of tropical activity in all aspects because of the climatology update uses 1991-2020 as the baseline instead of 1981-2010 period used previously. If 2021 outlook was issued based on the previous climatology, the forecast would call for an active season instead of a near normal one. 

The Greek alphabet will no longer be used to extend the named storms’ list. If all names in the first list have been used, a supplemental list will begin.

Background:
The major ocean basins’ data support a near to above normal season of tropical activity once again. Beginning with ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation), there is an 80% chance of neutral or La Niña conditions being in place by the August-October peak of hurricane season, with only a 20% chance of El Niño. 

La Niña is the most favorable state for active Atlantic seasons as it supports low vertical wind shear needed for tropical cyclone formation and intensification, so the strong likelihood of neutral or La Niña conditions in 2021 suggests an active year while the slight El Niño chance reduces that potential. 

The Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO) shows an 80% chance to be in its favorable warm Sea Surface Temperature (SST) phase for Atlantic tropical activity. 

The largest question is the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which has a connection to Atlantic occurrence of dry air that suppresses tropical cyclone formation. In 2021, there are questions about the state of the IOD by August-October, which supports a nearer to normal hurricane season. 

The most reliable forecast variable is Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE), which is widely viewed as the best measure of cyclone activity instead of the total named storm number and hurricane number. Since tropical cyclones vary wildly in duration from 1-10+ days, similar numbers of storms in different years can still represent very different levels of activity. 

The spread among the storms is relatively narrow, with 20% of the years showing below normal activity while the other 80% showed above normal activity. Due to the narrow range among prior years relative to the new normal level of activity, 100% of the prior years used in the forecast are in the “near normal” range. This results in a high confidence outlook for near to above normal activity in 2021, with the direction of ENSO and the IOD being the key issues to monitor.  

The data used in the forecast and current SST anomalies both indicate the U.S. East Coast being at the greater risk for higher impacts than usual, based on warm ocean waters off the coastline. If the model holds, any developing tropical cyclone that moves across the Western Atlantic approaching the U.S. will have ample energy to become a high-impact hurricane if other environmental conditions allow. There is also a consensus for slightly warmer than normal SST around the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean Sea, making that another area to watch for high-end impacts this season. Gulf of Mexico SST is not low but  not near the record warmth of last year. 

An active 2020 summer storm season passed by Anna Maria Island with minor effects. Hurricane Eta caused a surprisingly high storm surge and flooding overnight coinciding with a high tide. A local business man died from electrocution after touching a flooded appliance.

• Above average storm activity
• No Anna Maria Island evacuations
• 2 landfalls on Florida Gulf Coast, Sally and Eta
• Minor damage from Eta 2′ surge, which flooded some low-lying Anna Maria Island properties. Minor squalls and rainfall.

“I think really what stood out to me about 2020 was the extremely active late season. October and November were extremely active with seven storms and a whopping four major hurricanes (Delta, Epsilon, Eta and Iota).” said Phil Klotzbach, lead author of the forecast at CSU.

The causes of the active year, according to NOAA’s lead seasonal hurricane forecaster Gerry Bell, included warmer-than-average Atlantic sea-surface temperatures and a stronger west African monsoon, along with wind patterns coming off Africa that were more favorable for storm development. 

“These conditions, combined with La Niña, helped make this record-breaking, extremely active hurricane season possible.”

While it’s clear warmer ocean temperatures make storms stronger, there’s still vigorous debate among top climate scientists on the question of whether warmer waters lead to a greater number of tropical systems. 

 “My colleagues and I feel that the jury is very much out on the topic of global tropical cyclone frequency,” said Dr. Kerry Emanuel from MIT, a leading researcher on how climate change affects hurricanes. While this Atlantic season was extreme, he points out that what we see in the Atlantic Basin is not representative of the rest of the globe. “Only about 12 percent of the world’s tropical cyclones occur in the Atlantic, and globally it has not been a very exceptional year.”

The Named Storms of 2020:

For detailed discussion of factors contributing to 2020 storm weather, see CSU meteorology (pdf).