Microburst caught on camera scaring beachgoers

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Monday, September 4, 2017
Microburst caught on camera scaring beachgoers in Santa Barbara
A quick hitting storm called a microburst rolled through Santa Barbara Sunday afternoon.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- A wild scene unfolded at a Santa Barbara beach Sunday as a sudden weather event struck the area, sending chairs and umbrellas flying.

The sudden 80 mph gust of wind and heavy rains caused people to scramble for safety when only moments before they were trying to find relief from the heat wave that had swept the Southland.

That violent weather also knocked down trees and power lines as well as flooded nearby streets.

A microburst is a sudden and powerful air current created within the storms that moved into the area.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the county as the rains drenched the area.

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