While walking on the West Orange Trail in Winter Garden, Florida, Clare Walenga and Aaron Walenga were suddenly struck by lightning.
In body cam footage released by the Winter Garden Police Department, officers are seen assisting the Floridians knocked down by the impact.
Clare was unresponsive, and Aaron could only grunt in response to officials. Seeing that Aaron was awake, the cop told him to “stay with” him and to keep laying on his side despite the pain.
One witness on scene, seen in the footage, told the officer that Clare was “blue” after being struck. In a 911 call made by a bystander, they said they were performing chest compressions because she wasn’t breathing.
Bystanders also told deputies they thought the lightning hit a fence due to its volume.
The couple both suffered head injuries from the lightning. They were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center to be treated.
Recovery Update
The couple has since been released from the hospital.
On Sep. 11, Aaron Walenga released a statement to WESH 2 following their release.
“We are grateful to report that Clare and I are healing and are on track for a full recovery,” the ret. colonel wrote.
Walenga also expressed gratitude to the four “good samaritans” and responding police who assisted them, and to the medical team helping the couple towards recovery.
He also thanked their friends, family, and the many people nationwide who showed support. “The meals, fellowship, prayers, encouragement, and countless messages have brought us immeasurable joy and humbled us each day,” the ret. colonel stated.
Additionally, Walenga expressed sympathies to those impacted by 9/11, and stated that the lightning strike reminded them how “fragile” life could be.
GoFundMe for the Couple
Family friend Krista McCracken set up a GoFundMe to support the Walengas through their healing journey, writing that the couple has done “so much” for their local community.
As of Sep. 12, the fundraiser has raised $63,899 of a $100,000 goal.
McCracken asked viewers to donate money if they “feel led,” or to simply offer prayers for the couple.
The GoFundMe is linked here.
A Frightening Trend
The Walengas are only two of several Floridians to be struck by lightning in recent weeks.
Only six days after the incident involving the duo, on Sep. 8, 20-year-old Matthew Jenkins died in Celebration, Florida after being struck by lightning. On Aug. 29, father of four Steve Matheson died after being struck on his jet ski.
According to a chart by the National Lightning Safety Council, six people have died from lightning strikes in 2026—the highest out of any state. Four of the deaths have occurred over the past month.
This is not an anomaly. The council found that with 51 deaths occurring from 2016–2025, Florida led the states in deadly lightning strikes.
Its follow-up was Texas, which reported 21 deaths during the same time, less than half of Florida.
Frequency Explained
Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski with AccuWeather explained how Florida’s higher frequency of lightning stirkes.
Florida sees frequent thunderstorms because of the humidity, heat, and “sea breezes” that occur on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Florida is located directly on a peninsula.
Sea breezes are air from the ocean, causing temperatures to decrease and humidity to increase. This causes a conflict to arise between the ocean’s cold air and the inland’s still warm air.
When the sea breeze meets the inland’s air, forcing it into the sky, a thunderstorm occurs.