This is the dramatic moment sun worshipers on a California beach were hit by an 80mph microburst, leaving one teenage girl seriously injured.
The incident happened on Sunday afternoon as day trippers were enjoying the fine weather in Santa Barbara.
While residents in the Caribbean and Florida prepared for Hurricane Irma, those in California thought they were safe from the inclement conditions.
Alyssa Nuño, pictured, suffered a fractured skull after Sunday’s microburst in California
This is the shocking moment a microburst struck a beach in Santa Barbara causing chaos
The winds are believed to have hit 80 miles per hour knocking over people
Revellers were enjoying a day at the beach when the wind struck without any warning
However, the microburst, which struck without warning, saw trees blown down and beach umbrellas destroyed while chairs shot across the sand.
Microbursts are incredibly powerful local weather systems, which can cause extensive damage. The powerful winds have even caused aircraft to crash when approaching the runway.
According to an appeal on GoFundMe, one girl was seriously injured by the freak storm.
Karina Arroyo-Nuño is raising the money for her cousin Alyssa.
According to the appeal: ‘As some of you already know, my younger cousin, Alyssa Nuño was severely injured in the storm on Sunday afternoon causing her critical injuries.
‘She has suffered multiple broken bones, a fractured skull and some head trauma.
‘She is currently being treated at Children’s hospital in LA, awaiting her following surgeries on Wednesday and Thursday.
‘Please help my family & I raise money for her medical expenses and keep her in your prayers. For those who aren’t familiar with our family, or do not know us personally, Sandra Alamillo-Nuño is Alyssa’s mother and has been granted access to all the funds raised on here. Her alongside my uncle, Alyssa’s dad, have not left her side.
‘We know she will fight this and come out stronger with all of our support. Anything helps, thank you.’
So far the appeal has raised almost $15,000.
According to SFgate.com, David Sweet of the LA National Weather Service said they were attempting to verify the maximum speed of the wind during the freak event.
He said: ‘Rumor has it that the wind speed was measured at 80 mph. If you look at the video of the event, you can say it’s at least 60 mph and possibly stronger than that.’
Explaining what happened, he said Microbursts are incredibly rare but powerful.
He said: ‘You have that air that was at one time climbing rapidly and then it suddenly descends and as it descends into the dry air, that air cools and the air gets heavier and it accelerates downward to the surface. By the time, it hits the surface, it spreads out and the wind is very strong. It can be greater than 60 mph, even 100 mph.’
During his 20-year career he has dealt with maybe a dozen microbursts.