Fireworks end, rain and wind begin in Riverhead

Riverhead Town’s fireworks show at South Jamesport Beach started around 8:55 p.m., moved up from its 9:30 p.m. start time after officials got word a severe thunderstorm was heading towards town.

But right as the show ended 20 minutes later, intense thunder, rain and wind battered the crowd gathered for the Independence Day celebration, Councilman Ken Rothwell said in a phone call.

“The show was awesome…the timing was right. But literally everybody was running from the beach to their cars,” Rothwell said.