Lightning strike
Thunderstorms rolled though the southeast Saturday morning bringing plenty of rain and lightning. At least five residential structures in South Walton were reported to be hit by lightning, all within one hour. The first call to emergency services came in at 9:23 a.m and the last one was reported at 10:27 a.m.

The houses were located in Santa Rosa Beach, Rosemary Beach and Freeport. In two instances the same lightning bolt hit and damaged numerous structures. Damages have not been estimated yet, but all are considered minor according to Emergency Management.

"I wouldn't consider it significant damage because the structures, they're still able to live in them," said Jeff Goldberg with Emergency Management. "But it is definitely going to be an inconvenience for the folks that live there."

Santa Rosa Beach resident Gale Sheehan was out by his pool when a lightning bolt stuck the ground just a few feet away.

"It was a very deafening sound my ears were stopped up for a couple of hours after the bolt hit," Sheehan said.

The lightning blew holes through his dry wall, sent power boxes flying off the side of the house and wiped out his entertainment dishes.

His family was at home and luckily no one was hurt.

South Walton Fire District received assistance from Bay County Fire Department and Destin Fire Control.

All the homes were occupied at the time of the strikes and no injuries have been reported.

Emergency Management encourages people to call immediately if they believe their house is hit by lightening. Even if you don't see damage, it's important the structure be inspected after the fact to ensure everything is safe and sound.