Florida Sheriff’s Office inundated with calls after F-15 sonic boom damages homes
A startling incident occurred in Putnam County, Fla., as the Sheriff’s Office received numerous calls following a series of sonic booms caused by low-flying jets on Saturday. The aftermath of these booms left residents in shock, with reports of items falling off walls and broken glass scattered throughout the affected areas, as reported by News 6 partner News4JAX.
Residents from Pomona Park, Lake Como, Crescent City, and Palatka reached out to the sheriff’s office to report witnessing two low-flying jets and hearing deafening booms, which were a direct result of the jets breaking the sound barrier. One caller even claimed to have seen the sonic boom bubble, further emphasizing the intensity of the incident.
The jets responsible for the sonic booms were identified as F-15s from the Florida Air National Guard. While the guard acknowledged the occurrence in an email to News4JAX, they did not officially confirm it was a sonic boom. However, a Navy spokesperson clarified that the sonic boom over Putnam County did not originate from U.S. Navy aircraft, adding to the initial confusion surrounding the source of the disturbance.
In response to the damage and noise complaints resulting from the low-altitude training in Putnam County on March 2nd, the Florida National Guard launched an investigation to ascertain the facts and implement necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Expressing regret for the damage caused and the adverse impact on the local community, the guard extended its deepest apologies in a formal statement.
The aftermath of the sonic boom left some residents in a state of panic, as they described the intensity of the event in harrowing terms. Reports of trailers shaking, houses being rattled, and walls being stripped of their contents painted a vivid picture of the chaos that ensued on that fateful Saturday. The Florida National Guard has since initiated efforts to provide support to residents who suffered property damage as a result of the incident, directing them to contact the Public Affairs Office for further assistance.
