Nokomis Beach North now has just one lifeguard tower after Sarasota County Parks and Recreation removed the lightning-destroyed stand on Friday, Aug. 7, and said there are no plans to replace it.

The beach now has one tower to cover its entire stretch during peak summer, when it draws heavy visitor traffic.

County crews hauled away what remained of the tower Friday morning after determining it could not be salvaged, according to WWSB. Parks and Recreation officials said there are currently no plans to build a replacement. The county did not identify a spokesperson by name.

How it happened

A bolt of lightning struck the tower around 3:20 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, during a heavy storm, according to the Venice Gondolier. The strike ignited the wooden structure from the inside, and the fire burned through the downpour.

Sarasota County Government said citizens and staff had already been evacuated from the beach because of the approaching storm before the bolt hit. No injuries were reported.

David Gifford, who works at Shark Tooth Beach Concessions just yards from the tower, watched it happen.

"It shook the whole boardwalk … I didn't know lightning could do that," Gifford said.

Gifford told the Venice Gondolier on Aug. 7 that beachgoers routinely ignore evacuation warnings despite the obvious danger. "You wouldn't believe how many people won't leave the beach after being warned," he said.

What it means for beachgoers

With only one tower remaining, lifeguards now cover the entire stretch of Nokomis Beach from a single elevated position. The county has not provided a timeline for reconsidering the replacement decision or explained how staffing will adjust.

Nokomis resident Ludmilla Batranchuk told WWSB she had moved from the West Coast, where she experienced earthquakes, and said the Aug. 6 storm's shaking felt like one in her home.

Residents with questions or concerns can contact Sarasota County Parks and Recreation at 941-861-5000.