Florida has more fatal lightning strikes than any other state. Of the 38 fatalities last year, nine were in Florida, according to the National Weather Service database.

NAVARRE — Three people were struck by lightning early Wednesday afternoon as a series of storms moved through the area.

The first incident occurred at Twelve Oaks Recovery Center in Navarre about 12:45 p.m. Two people who were talking on a landline phone were injured when lightning struck the phone line, according to Santa Rosa County officials.

They were taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, where they were in stable condition as of 5 p.m., officials said.

The second incident happened about 1:50 p.m. at a home on Pouder Lane. An 18-year-old boy was sitting in a metal chair when lightning struck the home. He told responders he was fine and declined to be taken to the hospital.

Officals reported the incidents to the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama.

Meteorologist Cody Lindsey said the Weather Service urges people to go inside when it's thundering, and Wednesday's incidents were unusual because they occurred indoors.

He also said it is hazardous to use phones or use water when lightning is in the area. If you can hear thunder, lightning is nearby, he said.

"Lightning is one of nature's No. 1 killers," he said. "It's definitely a weather hazard we encourage people to pay attention to."

In August 2016, a 22-year-old beach vendor on Okaloosa Island died after being struck by lightning during an intense storm that moved quickly into the area.

One year earlier, 44 Army Ranger students and instructors on Eglin Air Force Base's reservation were taken to the hospital after they were struck by lightning during an afternoon thunderstorm.

Florida has more fatal lightning strikes than any other state. Of the 38 fatalities last year, nine were in Florida, according to the National Weather Service database.