Four people struck by lightning at Pensacola Beach

[Jason_B]

PENSACOLA BEACH - In a matter of minutes four people waiting for the Blue Angels to take to the skies were struck by lightning this afternoon.

The line of strong thunderstorms not only grounded the precision flying team, but also grounded all emergency choppers, making getting to those in need of medical attention a daunting task.

Especially when you consider that this was the packed scene not to long before the weather mayhem broke out.

Channel Three's Grace White was out at Pensacola Beach all day and spoke to one family who said they were truck by lightning.

"We had to get under an umbrella because it was raining so bad and I had held onto the umbrella and I actually got shocked," said beachgoer Mike Eutsler.

Mike was on the beach was on the beach under his umbrella when he felt lightening strike.

"It was pretty wild, like an electric fence," said Eutsler.

It only lasted for a second but Mike says it was enough to startle ten-year-old Matthew White who was standing nearby.

"I just flipped my head under our umbrella and I stuck my head up and lightning had struck and my head touched the little metal part of it, struck me and pretty much hurt," said Matthew White.

White came all the way from Missouri hoping to watch the Blue Angels for the first time.

"I've got to say this is the coldest summer day of my life I've never been this cold in the summer," said White.

The blue skies turned gray over Pensacola Beach and many families like this one were left to pack their bags while soaking wet.

"Today kinda ruined the day. I have family in from Missouri. They really wanted to see the Blue Angels. They hand's seen them before so we'll try it again tomorrow," said Michelle Savage.

Rain or shine this family from Missouri says they'll be back tomorrow hoping to see the Blues fly.

http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/x_stories/story1.shtml
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70% chance of storms tomorrow, I doubt the Blues will fly tomorrow either.

[brunota2003]

Heh, you can always tell who is new to Eastern NC. They use umbrellas. The ones who have lived here a while call the umbrellas "Eastern NC's Lightning Rods". They are portable, too. Never use an umbrella during a thunderstorm, all it is is a big metal rod that rises well above your head.

Glad no one was hurt, though.

[Jason_B]

Heh, you can always tell who is new to Eastern NC. They use umbrellas. The ones who have lived here a while call the umbrellas "Eastern NC's Lightning Rods". They are portable, too. Never use an umbrella during a thunderstorm, all it is is a big metal rod that rises well above your head.

Glad no one was hurt, though.

Yes, not sure how the lightning is like up in Missouri but you're not going to see a local hide underneath a umbrella on a beach during a thunderstorm. I was afraid with all this bad weather and the Blues show at the beach that somebody was going to get struck and unfortunately I was right. Thankfully it sounds like they're alright.

[MGC]

I was at the beach there in PC Beach Saturday. The beach was packed. The storm formed to the north and slowly moved over PC Beach. At first, I thought it was going to be a quick shower like on Friday but was I wrong. The Coast Guard has just started their rescue demonstration with the rescue swimmer deploying from a hovering helo. In a matter of moments, it went from light rain to a downpour. Then the lightening started. The strokes were often and close. No time to count between the flash and thunder. I was actually in fear for my life and everyone around, it was a miracle no one was killed. The storm lasted what seemed like an eternity. I checked the doppler when I got home and close to 5 inches of rain fell......MGC

[CajunMama]

When quoting a story...ALWAYS include the link in your post please.

[Stephanie]

I was at the beach there in PC Beach Saturday. The beach was packed. The storm formed to the north and slowly moved over PC Beach. At first, I thought it was going to be a quick shower like on Friday but was I wrong. The Coast Guard has just started their rescue demonstration with the rescue swimmer deploying from a hovering helo. In a matter of moments, it went from light rain to a downpour. Then the lightening started. The strokes were often and close. No time to count between the flash and thunder. I was actually in fear for my life and everyone around, it was a miracle no one was killed. The storm lasted what seemed like an eternity. I checked the doppler when I got home and close to 5 inches of rain fell......MGC

That must've been quite frightening!

[Ivanhater]

Im glad I didnt go..My niece was just born, otherwise I would if been out there...150,000 people were at Pensacola beach Saturday, many from out of town...Sucks it was moved to sunday, Parking was filled on the Island at 8 and people had to walk across the bridge to get on the Island..I thought about you MGC and hoped yall got out of dodge!

[Jason_B]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ixXsXli8QM

[MGC]

I try to make it over to PC Beach to watch my Blue Angels every July. It is just so impressive to watch. The better day to go is Friday. The beach is not a crowded....MGC