Pepsi Offers Refunds After Canceling Harry Styles Super Bowl Concert Due To Severe Weather
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Friday night's severe weather forced the cancelation of the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl LIV Party.
Pepsi said it was forced to cancel the show at the Meridian at Island Gardens, a concert venue on Watson Island, because of an order from the fire department.
There was a mandatory evacuation before headliner Harry Styles was able to perform.
Miami Fire Rescue said they sent two notifications to the show's organizers about the severe weather. The first advised canceling it because the National Weather Service, "NWS anticipates strong or severe thunderstorms with damaging wind, tornadoes, lightning, and flooding. A severe thunderstorm may produce wind gusts that exceed 58mph. Winds at these speeds could cause a collapse of temporary structures and injure occupants. Given the recent severe thunderstorm watch provided by the NWS, we are recommending that all outdoor events and events taking place near or in temporary structures consider canceling their events."
WATCH: FLOODED STREETS ON WATSON ISLAND FROM SEVERE RAIN
The second notification was the one that called for a mandatory evacuation.
"The NWS anticipates strong gusts of up to 70 mph and tornadic weather because of this storm. Severe thunderstorms may possess damaging wind, tornadoes, lightning, and flooding. Due to the risk of unreasonable danger to the health or safety of the public, a mandatory cancellation of all outdoor special events and special events occurring in temporary structures in the City of Miami is in effect and will be enforced."
WATCH: CONCERT-GOERS IN THE RAIN DURING MANDATORY EVACUATION
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Meridan issued an apology to concert-goers in a statement"
"We recognize that last night's circumstances and the mandatory action taken were very disappointing to those in attendance and we sincerely apologize.
The City of Miami Division of Emergency Management ordered the mandatory cancellation of all special events in temporary structures due to reports from the National Weather Service warning of the potential for strong winds, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. The mandatory evacuation came prior to Harry Styles taking the stage. Event personnel, in coordination with fire and police resources, managed the evacuation of guests onsite."
Styles took to Twitter to express his disappointment.
Pepsi released a statement on Twitter that they would be offering full refunds for both the show and ride shares to the venue.
Lady Gaga is set to perform Saturday night at the Meridian at Island Gardens.
