I believe that the storms you are speaking of are related to all the tropical moisture in the GOM. It's a perfect set-upfor t-storms: lots of warm tropical moisture, a little heating of the sun here and there, and an unstable atmosphere. There was a cluster of storms down towards Ft. Myers this morning and the local mets said we could get some severe storms later this afternoon.
As for Bret, I think his lifespan is just about over.