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Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,233
4,925
SoWal
mooncreek.com
(Seagrove)– At approximately 12:40 pm this afternoon a waterspout wasreported to have made landfall in Seagrove near the Santa Clara BeachAccess. South Walton Fire District Lifeguards Brad Stewart and JoelChapman were on duty at SWFD Lifeguard Tower 2 when rain began tomove on shore. As the guards were removing their equipment from thebeach a water spout was spotted approximately 700 feet from shore.


Asthe water spout began to rapidly make its way towards the shore, SWFDLifeguard Chapman began directing patrons in his response area toseek shelter at the closest structure. At this time, SWFD LifeguardStewart witnessed a family who was attempting to move one of theirown family members with a (physical disability) to a safe shelter. Ashe reached the group with beach wheel chair in hand, Stewart realizedit was too late to make it to a safe shelter. Stewart ordered themall to lay face down in the sand as he lay across them. Thewaterspout, now turned tornado, was now on shore and passing directlyover this group. A tent awning collapsed and skirted across Stewart’sback however he did not sustain any injuries.


Despitethe fact that the tornado ripped a 6 foot tall door off of the SWFDLifeguard storage shed and other tents, umbrellas and other debriswere blown across the beach , no injuries or other significant damagewere reported. As a precaution, SWFD rescue units evaluated allpersons involved and no one was transported for further medicalevaluation.


attachment.php





(The picture wastaken from an unknown witness)


Asalways SWFD urges all its residents, guests, visitors and touristsalike to always swim in guarded beaches. Pay close attention andalways adhere to the beach flag warning system. Know that summerweather in Florida can change instantly, violently and withoutwarning and most importantly, use sound judgment and know yourswimming limitations.


Ifyou have any questions, please contact Sammy Sanchez, FireMarshal/PIO at ssanchez@swfd.org
or850-267-1298
 

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Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,233
4,925
SoWal
mooncreek.com
This passed right in front of me near 723 Whiskey Bravo as I was driving. The door mentioned was whipping around the vortex. It was intense but dissipated pretty quickly.

Thanks to our awesome SWFD lifeguards!
 
Last edited:

BeachSiO2

Beach Fanatic
Jun 16, 2006
3,294
737
Thank you Brad Stewart and the SWFD. You are truly heroes every day!
 
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