Mircrobursts can be deadly

R

RichardW

New member
Hello Brats,
While attending an airshow at the Huntsville International Airport yesterday a summer thunderstorm came up suddenly and caused 12 injuries, 1 fatality. At 2pm we were positioned just north of the airport to get some shots of vintage aircraft and the Blue Angels when a cloud front moved in fast. We soon heard several ambulance vehicles rushing into the airshow area. The storm created a microburst which flipped several large spectator tents injuring several and killing a 5 year old child, ending the airshow immediately.

It was a stark reminder of how dangerous any summer storm can be, at least in the southeast where a wet microburst can be produced. Microbursts can severely damage property, crash aircraft and sink boats.
Just something for us all to be aware of.
 
Richard -- good post and reminder. We experienced one while on the boat. Ripped sails off nearby sailboats, dragged one across the reef, sunk several others on that same reef and threw others on the shore. Tents from a campground on the island were airborne (fortunately without occupants). Thousands of migrating birds were drowning around us. Frightful time -- our anchor held.
 
Wow sorry to hear of the loss of the life and injuries but glad you made it through unharmed. I lived at Lucy's Branch in 92 and 93 while working at Brown's Ferry and was surprised when first going there by all the storm shelters. I soon found out why they were there. We've had some pretty bad summer storms hear uprooting trees and destroying homes this summer.
 
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