Storms Delay Beyonce Concert, Fans Complain About Lack Of Safety And Handling Of Situation

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Lightning and rain delayed Beyonce's big concert at FedEx Field in Landover Sunday, but the superstar still went on two hours after the original start time, performing in the pouring rain.

But up until Beyonce took the stage, concertgoers were angry about how the weather delay was handled. Some say they were pushed and shoved; others passed out, reports WJZ. Fans say stadium staff didn't have a proper emergency plan in place for the more than 50,000 attendees.

Sunday's concert was the second night of Beyonce's world tour in Maryland. Doors opened Sunday at 5 p.m. But when the skies opened up and rain poured down accompanied by streaks of lightning, thousands of fans had to pile into the stadium concourse and shelter in place per an order issued by county officials.

"It is utter chaos with people like arguing with the police – trying to get in, almost getting maced, it was all over social media," Kirby Gaddy told WJZ. "It was literally insane."

"I thought the show was going to be canceled honestly," Henry Kenney III added. "That was like the biggest thing on the top of mind."

Stadium officials told WJZ that the concert was almost canceled by authorities, but they found a way to go on when the lightning stopped. The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department posted on Facebook that a shelter-in-place had been ordered due to the lightning.

"Fans outside of gates and in the parking lots are asked to return to their cars. All fans inside of the stadium are asked to shelter in place under covered concourse areas and ramps until further notice," the post stated.

After a couple of hours, the department then posted on Facebook that "The weather has passed and fans may now return to their seats at FedExField."

In a statement to CBS News Baltimore, a spokesperson for FedEx Field said:

"On Sunday evening, when a severe thunderstorm arrived over the stadium, we took preemptive actions to keep fans safe, including having them shelter in place in the concourse. The safety of our fans is our highest priority."