The teen victims of a shark attack in the Florida panhandle have been identified as Lulu Gribbin, who lost a hand and a leg, and McCray Faust, who suffered injuries to her foot.

Ann Blair Gribbin, Lulu’s mom, recounted how her first mother-daughter beach trip quickly turned to horror when sharing an update with friends and family online. 

On Friday, the Gribbin family along with multiple friends visited Seacrest Beach. After coming back from lunch, Ann Blair came back to the beach only to find out there was a shark in the water.

A crowd formed around the edge of the ocean, which had been evacuated by Walton County authorities and lifeguards. That’s when Lulu’s twin sister Ellie came up to her and told her Lulu had been attacked.

‘I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream. She was lifeless her eyes closed mouth white and pale. The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie,’ Gribbin said. 

Pictured: Emergency professionals rush shark bite victims away from the beach and toward air transport to the hospital

This brutal attack occurred at around 3pm, according to South Walton Fire District Fire Chief Ryan Crawford, who said both girls needed tourniquets applied to their bite wounds.

Ann Blair was able to make it to her daughter who she said saw her approaching. Lulu’s eyes were still open so the concerned mom clutched her hand.

Almost immediately, emergency responders loaded her up, carried her off the beach and got her to a helicopter.

Lulu was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, which took them an hour and 20 minutes to drive to.

‘We prayed the entire way,’ Ann Blair wrote.

‘We got to Sacred Heart and Lulu was already in surgery, but they answered my prayer that she was alive, and her vitals were good,’ adding that the surgeons told her, ‘the shark had bitten off Lulu’s left hand and that they had to amputate her right leg halfway up from her knee to her hip.’

While the first teen victim was airlifted to a trauma center in Pensacola in critical condition, the other was taken by ambulance in stable condition

After the attacks, Walton County closed several miles of Gulf of Mexico waters and began waving double red flags. Some beaches have since reopened

Ann Blair wrote that Lulu lost two thirds of her blood in the attack, which is beyond life-threatening. Experts say if a human loses more than 40 percent of their blood and doesn’t get immediate surgery, it will lead to death.

Lulu was conscious on Saturday and her first words were ‘I made it.’

She was able to recap the horrifying attack in detail. Authorities had already revealed that the girls were swimming on a sand bar at Seacrest Beach, which Lulu confirmed to her mother. 

The teen added that after she was bit on the hand and then the leg, the shark bit her friend on her foot.  

‘Lulu said a man grabbed her other arm and pulled her out and another younger boy helped him carry her to shore,’ Ann Blair wrote.

Ann Blair also revealed that two doctors and two young women, one of whom were a nurse, were the ones who put tourniquets on Lulu’s wounds.

‘At this point we will have multiple surgeries in the days to come and our lives will be forever changed. Lulu is strong, beautiful, brave and so many more things I can’t count,’ she wrote.

Just four miles away on the same day, a 45-year-old Virginia woman, Elisabeth Foley, was bitten by a shark at around 1:15pm. She suffered significant injuries to her abdominal and pelvic region, with the lower part of one of her arms having to get amputated, Fox10 TV reported.

Foley is now in stable condition, according to representatives from HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, where she was airlifted Friday. 

A fundraiser organized by her family has already raised over $36,000 out of its $50,000 goal

Elisabeth Foley, the first victim of a shark attack on Florida’s panhandle, is pictured left

The attacks took place within four miles of each other, officials said

A 45-year-old woman was bit by the marine animal in the water near Watersound Way and Coopersmith Lane at around 1:15pm Friday

As recently as Sunday afternoon, South Walton Fire District lifeguards were still flying warning flags alerting beachgoers to ‘the presence of dangerous marine life.’

‘We encourage all of our beach patrons to be situationally aware in the water today, swim near a lifeguard, stay hydrated, and look out for each other. Please do not underestimate the open water and any of the marine life that could be present,’ the agency wrote on Facebook. 

The day before, a beach marine unit from the sheriff’s office was monitoring the shoreline near where the attacks happened. 

Deputies spotted a 14-foot hammerhead shark near Santa Rosa Beach on Saturday morning, which they emphasized wasn’t uncommon, in a post on X. 

A service for Lulu and McCray’s attacks was held at their hometown church in Alabama on Sunday, AL.com reported.

Sheriff’s deputies are pictured out monitoring the waters near where the shark attacks took place on Friday

The deputies spot a 14-foot hammerhead shark in the water, which they say isn’t uncommon

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church was packed, according to the report. People filled every pew and even more crowded into an overflow room to show their support for the teen girls as church officials lit candles in honor of them.

The church also said grief counselors would be made available to anyone in the congregation who felt like they needed someone to talk to. 

‘This extended community has got your back,’ Reverend Richmond Webster said to the families in attendance.

These attacks come weeks after officials named Florida as the shark bite capital of the world.

Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida, has had the highest concentration of unprovoked attacks globally with 351 since 1837, according to Florida University’s International Shark Attack File.

Daytona Beach is roughly 375 miles away from where this most recent double shark attack occurred. 

On the country-wide level, the US had the most shark attacks in 2023, totaling 1,640, followed by Australia with 706. 

On Sunday at 6:04 p.m. the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until Monday at 1 a.m. for Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Marengo, Marion, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, St. Clair, Shelby, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston counties.

Lightning on the horizon: Expert safety measures for thunderstorms

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:

1. Lightning safety plan:

• When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
• Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
• Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

2. Indoors safety measures:

• Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
• These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.

3. Wait for the all-clear:

• After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
• It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn’t available:

If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
• Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
• Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
• Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

Rain can turn roads into hazards. Stay informed and follow these tips from the weather service to ensure safety during heavy rainfall:

Beware of rapid water flow:

• In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.

Maintain safe driving distances:

• The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Slow down and stay cautious:

• If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

Choose your lane wisely:

• Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.

Visibility matters:

• Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

• The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

• Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

• Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
• If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.

Alabama faces another chance for severe storms later this (Sunday) afternoon.

The National Weather Service said wind gusts up to 60 mph, hail and heavy rain will be possible with any stronger storms that develop.

Rain and storms will be possible at times through the day today in north Alabama, but they are expected to stay under severe limits. The most likely time for storms will be later this afternoon (3 p.m. onward) into the evening and nighttime hours as a cold front drops southward into the state.

The weather service will also be watching for the possible development of one or more storm clusters (mesoscale convective systems, or MCSs) to the west of Alabama, which could also push into the state later today and tonight.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has added a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather for parts of north and west Alabama today. A Level 2 risk means that scattered severe storms will be possible (see the outlook at the top of this post).

The rest of north Alabama and a sizable piece of central Alabama has a Level 1 risk, which means that isolated severe storms will be possible.

The risk for severe weather will continue into Monday morning in south Alabama, and the SPC is forecasting a Level 1 risk for that area on Monday.

Here’s the outlook for Monday:

Drier weather is expected starting on Tuesday, with (a little) less humidity in the air through at least Wednesday, according to the weather service.

There is no severe weather in the forecast for Alabama, after Monday, for the rest of the week.