In this edition
Windermere families displaced by lightning fire · DUI crackdown over the holiday · 94° heat index 103° · Storms after 1 PM · Veteran Social tonight
MONDAY, JULY 6 · ⛈ 94° HEAT INDEX 103° · WINDERMERE LIGHTNING FIRE · STORMS AFTER 1 PM
MONDAY, JULY 6, MMXXVI · WEST ORANGE CO., FL
Good Morning, Winter Garden
⛈ 94° · Heat Index 103° · Storms After 1 PM · Morning Clear
Windermere Public Safety
A lightning strike may have sparked a fire that displaced Windermere families over the holiday weekend.
A fire displaced multiple families in Windermere over the July 4 weekend, with a lightning strike possibly to blame, WFTV reports. The incident is a sobering reminder of the real dangers that come with Florida’s summer storm season — and of how quickly a holiday can turn difficult for neighbors. Details on the cause remain under investigation. The lightning threat was widespread across the region this weekend: a Seminole County deputy was struck by lightning and is expected to recover, and a lightning strike also sparked a fire at the Buena Vista Place Apartments. If you know the Windermere families affected, the City of Winter Garden and local nonprofits including the Christian Service Center have resources for displaced residents.
OPD DUI Crackdown Nets 31 Citations and 3 Arrests Over July 4 Weekend.
Orlando Police ran a targeted DUI enforcement operation over the Independence Day holiday weekend, resulting in 31 citations and 3 DUI arrests, WFTV reports — a reminder that enforcement was heightened on area roads this weekend. WFTV Channel 9 →
Heat Wave Safety Tips for Horizon West Families and Pet Owners.
With heat indices hitting 103° this week, Horizon West Happenings has compiled practical safety tips for families, theme park visitors, and pets — including when to stay indoors and how to spot heat exhaustion early. Horizon West Happenings →
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◆ This Week in Winter Garden
Back to the week. Plenty to look forward to.
Tonight is the Veteran Networking Social in Horizon West at 6 PM. Tomorrow Summer Flix kicks off with How to Train Your Dragon (2 PM and 7 PM) at the Garden. Wednesday brings an Orange County Innovation Center Open House at 2:30 PM in Horizon West. And Friday’s a big one: 2nd Fridays at Flamingo Crossings block party (6 PM) plus the launch of the Dog Days of Summer PAW-ty Art Exhibit downtown (7 PM).
Tonight: Veteran Social 6 PM Tue: Summer Flix Fri: Flamingo Crossings
⛈ 94° today, heat index 103°. Storms after 1 PM.
5-DAY · NWS MELBOURNE · WINTER GARDEN, FL
Today peaks at 94° with a heat index near 103° and a 60% storm chance after 1 PM. Tuesday remains dangerous with a heat index up to 105°. The back half of the week improves considerably — Thursday is fully sunny with a 97° high and zero storm chance, making it the best outdoor day of the stretch.
More from West Orange and beyond.
Lightning Strike Also Sparks Apartment Fire in the Region.
A lightning strike caused a fire at the Buena Vista Place Apartments over the holiday weekend, WFTV reports — the second lightning-related fire incident in the broader area in two days, underlining the serious risks of Florida’s summer storm season. WFTV Channel 9 →
Seminole County Deputy Struck by Lightning, Expected to Recover.
A Seminole County sheriff’s deputy was struck by lightning over the holiday weekend and is expected to recover, WFTV reports. Florida leads the nation in lightning strikes — the safest rule this summer remains the same: when thunder roars, go indoors. WFTV Channel 9 →
Horizon West Kids Expo Coming July 15.
The Horizon West Kids Expo is returning on Wednesday, July 15 at 4 PM — an event worth putting on the family calendar, Horizon West Happenings reports. Details on activities and vendors are available through the organizer. Horizon West Happenings →
FIFA World Cup on Fox 35: How to Watch.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs through July 19 on Fox and Fox 35, with 104 matches across 16 stadiums. If you want to catch local newscasts during the matches, Fox 35 has a guide for streaming your local coverage without missing the action. Fox 35 →
Veteran Networking Social — Tonight
6:00 PM · Horizon West · Mon
Summer Flix: How to Train Your Dragon (PG)
2 PM & 7 PM · Tue · Winter Garden
Orange County Innovation Center Open House
2:30 PM · Wed · Horizon West
2nd Fridays at Flamingo Crossings + PAW-ty Exhibit Launch
Block Party 6 PM · PAW-ty 7 PM · Fri · Downtown
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WFTV · NWS Melbourne · City of Winter Garden · Horizon West Happenings · Fox 35 · July 6, 2026
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