The Fourth of July holiday got off to a terrifying start on Friday as three beachgoers in Florida were struck by lightning while forecasters warned a tropical storm is brewing. First responders rushed to a beach in the southern portion of Pinellas County just before 12.

Forecasters are watching an area around Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coasts for tropical development during the July 4 weekend.

Tropical Storm Chantal was downgraded to a depression Sunday but raised concerns of possible flash flooding as it makes its way through central North Carolina toward south-central Virginia.