Wild footage shows the moment Florida beachgoers are forced to flee as a massive waterspout heads ashore, knocking a woman to the ground

This is the terrifying moment Florida beachgoers were forced to dive for cover as a powerful waterspout hit the shore, knocking a woman down with its force.

The intense column vortex hit Hollywood Beach around 10:30 a.m. Friday as terrified beachgoers grabbed their belongings and fled to safety.

The ferocious weather moved across the ocean water two to three miles offshore before turning into a whirlwind – with strong winds roaring through the area, ripping through palm trees and blowing up chairs before finally dissipating.

A live broadcast from Sky10 captured footage of a shirtless beachgoer in his swimming trunks, clutching his belongings, shouting “Yo…!” Others cried out in desperation, “It’s coming to us.”

One person who witnessed the chaos told NBC Miami: “I’ve never seen this before. I have been coming here since 1986. I’ve never seen that in my entire life.”

A woman runs along the beach as the water spout whips out several feet behind her

The waterspout moves rapidly across the water two to three miles from shore

Weather experts said the waterspout was associated with a cloud formed from a group of thunderstorms in the Atlantic Ocean.

While many beachgoers appeared shaken, no injuries were reported.

When the weather cleared, many sunbathers returned to the beach to rest.

Hours earlier Friday around 9:30 a.m., a separate waterspout erupted on Boca Raton Beach, sending chairs and umbrellas flying near the Ocean Towers apartments.

Boca Raton is about 49 miles from Hollywood and a little further south.

Steve Weagle, chief meteorologist for WPTV First Alert, shared footage of the waterspout falling ashore before being cleaned up.

The waterspout was later confirmed as a tornado by the Miami National Weather Service. A tornado warning was issued for Broward County, but was later removed.

Water jets are common along the southeast coast of the United States, especially along the coast of South Florida and the Keys. They can be found over seas, bays and lakes and generally do not take in water at high altitudes.

According to Britannica, the rapidly swirling air currents that come into contact with the surface of the water are usually caused by a rapidly growing cumulus cloud.

Water jets can take a variety of forms and often come in a line known as the “water spout family”. This updraft is similar to other atmospheric phenomena such as tornadoes, hurricanes and firestorms.