Kansas beachgoers hit by debris launched into air by waterspout, Florida officials say

Two Kansans were at a Florida beach when a waterspout formed over the water and made its way to shore, according to local news outlets.

The waterspout — a “whirling column of air and water mist” similar to a tornado — launched beach gear and other debris into the air as it moved along the coast on June 16, video shows.

The video shared by the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department shows tents and chairs flying along the beach as beachgoers screamed and ran from the water.

At least two people were struck by debris, authorities said.

The 63-year-old man and 70-year-old woman, a couple from Kansas, were taken to a hospital with “very minor injuries,” WTSP reported. They were at Barefoot Beach House restaurant when the waterspout moved in.

Shortly before the waterspout, at 1:40 p.m., the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department tweeted that “gusty westerly winds are creating rough seas and hazardous swimming conditions.” Swimmers were advised to use “extreme caution.”

If you encounter a waterspout, experts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say you should “move at a 90-degree angle to its apparent movement.”

Clearwater is in Florida’s Tampa Bay area.

This story was originally published June 19, 2023 at 11:48 AM.