Storm threat forces Firefly fans to evacuate

Fans of a number of bands including the Kings of Leon were a bit disappointed Saturday night after Firefly officials evacuated their festival grounds.

Just before 10 p.m. Saturday evening,  fans were ordered off the grounds in the  Woodlands at the Dover International Speedway due to a threatening thunderstorm.

In a statement to 47 ABC Ed Klima, the Senior Director of Public Safety at the Dover International Speedway says, “The safety and well-being of our patrons is our utmost concern. In conjunction with our public safety partners, we monitor weather throughout the event.  As the day progressed, it became apparent that several different weather systems, including the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill, would be affecting the Dover area this evening.”

Fans were asked to take down tents and immediately seek shelter. Julia Wiess says, “They were saying go in your cars move everything. And we did that we went in our cars and it really wasn’t that bad.”  

However, those that didn’t suffered the consequences. Walter Johnson goes on, “Puddles, wet mattresses, and pillows that you can’t breath through.”

When reviewing comments on Twitter, it’s clear some fans were upset over the decision to cancel the evening’s performances.

However, Steve Aoki and The Chainsmokers were willing to reschedule for Sunday. That left many fans thinking the evacuation was the right decision.

Julian Destephano says, “Thank god they cleared the grounds because we just made it back in time. I mean it was intense rainfall, it was just relentless.”

Danni Baird says, “There’s so many people here. There’s so many things.  I’m holding a stick. I could have been struck by lightening. You never know.”