Power Outage in Fort Lauderdale, FL

A small tornado began in Dania Beach on NE 6th Court just south of Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, causing mainly fence and tree damage to the surrounding neighborhood. The tornado skipped as the parent storm moved WNW across Federal Highway, with the next area of tornado damage noted at a church on NW 5th Avenue and 3rd Terrace where the west edge of the roof peeled and blew off to the east, and the front door facing north was blown in. Extensive tree damage was noted westward along Old Griffin Road next to the Dania Cut-Off Canal, then damaged at least half a dozen mobile homes in the Ocean Waterway community west of Bryan Road and east of I-95. The mobile home damage was in the form of peeled roofs, metal siding torn off, and damaged power poles. ||The tornado was rated on the high end of the EF-0 scale based primarily on damage in the mobile home park. A tornadic debris signature (TDS) was also noted on radar with this tornado. Damage totals are estimates.

During the afternoon and evening of April 12th, prolific rainfall occurred across southern and central metro Broward County, including the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Dania Beach, and Wilton Manors. Showers and thunderstorms repeatedly training over this urban corridor brought multiple hours with rainfall rates of 3-6 inches/hour, with total rainfall of 15-25 inches between Noon and Midnight. The highest measured rainfall amount was 25.91 at a WeatherSTEM gauge at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, with 20 inches falling between 4 and 10 PM. This rainfall rate has less than a 0.1% chance of being exceeded in any given year, and the rainfall over most of the Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood areas has an annual exceedance probability of no more than 0.5%. ||This extremely rare rainfall led to devastating impacts and crippled neighborhoods for several days. Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport was closed for nearly 40 hours due to high standing water. Over 1,100 buildings in Fort Lauderdale suffered damage, with 766 having major damage. Fort Lauderdale City Hall sustained major water damage and was considered a complete loss. At least 38,000 cubic yards of debris was collected in Fort Lauderdale. The city of Hollywood Waste Water plant sustained damage. Damage surveys revealed high water marks of over 3 feet inside homes in the Edgewood and Melrose Park neighborhoods of Fort Lauderdale, with 1-2 feet of standing water and high water marks in sections of Dania Beach and Hollywood. About 600 residents were displaced by the flood, with many being rescued from their homes by first responders. 22,000 residents were without power during the peak of the event, with the hardest hit areas remaining without it for days. Port Everglades, which supplies 100% of the fuel for the area (13 million gallons per day), suffered a 50% reduction in distribution due to submerged fuel pumps, with interruptions lasting over 10 days. This led to a fuel shortage across the area, with most South Florida gas stations having to close for days at a time. Nearly one thousand calls were made to local towing companies for abandoned/stranded vehicles in flooded water, with the number of vehicle insurance claims across the area in the thousands.||Damage totals were provided by Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood emergency management officials.

Multiple reports from broadcast media and emergency managers of significant to severe street flooding in eastern Broward County from Hallandale Beach north to Fort Lauderdale and Oakland Park. Main impacts were impassable streets which caused many stranded vehicles, particularly in East Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and Powerline Road in Oakland Park.||As much as 14.85 inches of rain fell in Hollywood from Friday morning June 3rd through Saturday evening June 4th. Most of eastern Broward County observed anywhere from 7-12 inches of rain during that same time period.

Multiple reports from broadcast media and emergency managers of significant to severe street flooding in eastern Broward County from Hallandale Beach north to Fort Lauderdale and Oakland Park. Main impacts were impassable streets which caused many stranded vehicles, particularly in East Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and Powerline Road in Oakland Park.||As much as 14.85 inches of rain fell in Hollywood from Friday morning June 3rd through Saturday evening June 4th. Most of eastern Broward County observed anywhere from 7-12 inches of rain during that same time period.

Florida Power and Light utility crews reported wind damage to trees in West Park associated with a strong thunderstorm that moved across the area. Wind speeds estimated to be near 60 mph based on the damage. A nearby Earth Networks weather station at Watkins Elementary School recorded a 51 mph (44 knots) wind gust at 6:43 PM EDT.

Florida Power and Light utility crews reported wind damage to trees in West Park associated with a strong thunderstorm that moved across the area. Wind speeds estimated to be near 60 mph based on the damage. A nearby Earth Networks weather station at Watkins Elementary School recorded a 51 mph (44 knots) wind gust at 6:43 PM EDT.

A powerful downburst produced a wind gust of 58 mph (50 kt) which was measured by the Sunrise Weatherstem Mesonet (1343W). Site is elevated 6 feet above ground level.

Estimated 3 inches of rainfall resulted in two of the three lanes of Sample Road in both directions between Powerline Road and NW 18th avenue are impassable from earlier heavy rain.

Coral springs/Parkland Fire Department reported via twitter that Riverside Drive was closed in both directions at Cardinal Road due to a power line down on the roadway.

The tornado touched down south of the Sawgrass Expressway near Country Hills Elementary School just east of Coral Springs Drive. The tornado then continued east-southeast along a discontinuous path, damaging the tops of trees and snapping and breaking off branches and other vegetation, as well as toppling power lines. The tornado damaged a street sign near the intersection of University Drive and Wiles Road, before lifting just south of Wiles Road near NW 85th Avenue.

Multiple power lines down near 4400 North Powerline Road in Deerfield Beach. Time based on radar.

Fire rescue reported a large tree had been downed and uprooted and was currently blocking the road near 11800 NW 25th Court. The tree also downed power lines when it fell into the road. Radar estimated winds were 50-60 mph at the time.

The tornado touched down near the Mitchell Moore Aquatic Center just east of I-95 and north of NW 10th Street, then continued northeast to NW 14th street just west of North Dixie Highway where the strongest damage was observed, with severe roof damage to a home. The tornado then tracked northeast, crossing North Dixie Highway and damaging several horse stables on the east side of the road on the west side of the Pompano Beach Airpark. One horse in the stables sustained injuries. The tornado then moved across the western and northern portions of the airpark into the Pompano Beach Golf Course and the Citi Center, doing damage to trees across the property. The tornado crossed Federal Highway/US 1 near Copans Road, leading to additional damage in the Lighthouse Point area with many uprooted and broken trees, downed power lines, and minor roof damage. The track ended at NE 28th Avenue and NE 28th street less than a half mile from the beach.

Numerous trees and powerlines down in Port Everglades area, including a 20 inch diameter pine tree snapped at its top. A catamaran capsized on Lake Sylvia with the owner trapped inside who was later rescued by Fire Rescue. An additional boat also capsized in the Port Everglades area. Dozens of beach chairs along Fort Lauderdale Beach were also tossed around and into the Atlantic. Radar winds estimated at 60 to 70 mph at the time of the damage.

Numerous trees and powerlines down in Port Everglades area, including a 20 inch diameter pine tree snapped at its top. A catamaran capsized on Lake Sylvia with the owner trapped inside who was later rescued by Fire Rescue. An additional boat also capsized in the Port Everglades area. Dozens of beach chairs along Fort Lauderdale Beach were also tossed around and into the Atlantic.

The tornado touched down just to the south of the intersection of South Post and Weston Roads at 705 am, knocking over a large tree and spreading significant tree limb debris into nearby car dealerships on the east side of the roadway. The tornado then crossed I-75 just south of SW 36th Street, knocking over trees in the field on the east side of the highway. Additional trees were uprooted and snapped as the track continued northeast near the intersection of SW 37th Street and SW 150th Avenue. More tree damaged occurred further east in the Davie/Fort Lauderdale KOA near the intersection of SW 37th Court and Boyscout Road. A row of power lines was knocked down along 130th Avenue just to the north of SW 36th Court, before the tornado crossed Flamingo Road, tearing a large limb off of a massive tree in Flamingo Gardens. Continuing further northeast, the tornado downed additional trees and power lines down along Canyon Maple Boulevard with shingle damage to roofs to home in the vicinity. Several large trees were then downed along West Lake Villa Circle before the tornado crossed Nob Hill Road. Additional trees were uprooted near Tree Tops and Westridge Parks on the east side of the roadway. Eyewitness reports in the vicinity also report airborne debris. The damage path ended around 718 AM with several large trees snapped and soffit damage to homes in the Escape At Arrowhead neighborhood along SW 24th Court and SW 81st Avenue.

The tornado touched down just to the south of the intersection of South Post and Weston Roads at 705 am, knocking over a large tree and spreading significant tree limb debris into nearby car dealerships on the east side of the roadway. The tornado then crossed I-75 just south of SW 36th Street, knocking over trees in the field on the east side of the highway. Additional trees were uprooted and snapped as the track continued northeast near the intersection of SW 37th Street and SW 150th Avenue. More tree damaged occurred further east in the Davie/Fort Lauderdale KOA near the intersection of SW 37th Court and Boyscout Road. A row of power lines was knocked down along 130th Avenue just to the north of SW 36th Court, before the tornado crossed Flamingo Road, tearing a large limb off of a massive tree in Flamingo Gardens. Continuing further northeast, the tornado downed additional trees and power lines down along Canyon Maple Boulevard with shingle damage to roofs to home in the vicinity. Several large trees were then downed along West Lake Villa Circle before the tornado crossed Nob Hill Road. Additional trees were uprooted near Tree Tops and Westridge Parks on the east side of the roadway. Eyewitness reports in the vicinity also report airborne debris. The damage path ended around 718 AM with several large trees snapped and soffit damage to homes in the Escape At Arrowhead neighborhood along SW 24th Court and SW 81st Avenue.

The tornado first touched down near the intersection of NW 2nd Court and NW 43rd Avenue, snapping and uprooting several trees and damaging fences as it traveled to the northeast. Damage was reported across NW 42nd Avenue, Palmetto Drive, and Coconut Creek Boulevard in the path of the tornado. Discontinuous damage to trees and power lines occurred as the tornado then travelled across the Broward College North Campus. On the north end of campus, several cars in the north parking lot near the Health Sciences Building were tossed into each other. The tornado then crossed Coconut Creek Parkway just to the west of the Florida Turnpike, flipping a community bust on the road. The driver of the bus sustained a minor injury. On the north side of the road, the tornado moved through the Wynmoor Village Condo Complex where the most significant damage was reported. Numerous trees were uprooted across the complex, with a few snapped in half and debarked, along with snapped light poles and damage to fences. Several mid-level condo buildings sustained moderate roof damage where roofing material and portions of concrete block were peeled off and thrown several yards, damaging numerous cars in the parking lot. The tornado then crossed the Florida's Turnpike near the mile marker 67 entrance and exit ramps. Several cars were tossed and damaged along the Turnpike, including one southbound travelling car that was flipped into the northbound lane, resulting in a minor injury. The tornado then weakened as it moved to the east side of the Turnpike, where large limbs were broken off trees, power lines knocked down, and smaller trees uprooted along Blount Road. Minor roof damage occurred to the North Homeless Assistance Center in this area. A tractor trailer was flipped at the Whole Foods Warehouse along NW 19th street and Blount Road, before the tornado travelled further northeast causing moderate tree damage along NW 25th Avenue. The tornado lifted near Copans Road and NW 25th Street.

Flooding along Sample Road between I-95 and Powerline Road with around 6 inches of water on the roadway.

Coral Springs PD reported power lines down near Woodside Dr.

Power lines downed in Broward Boulevard area of Fort Lauderdale.

Media reported a gust of 72 MPH at a mesonet at north Broward Medical Center. Power lines and trees down near Pompano Business Park.

Power lines downed in Broward Boulevard area of Fort Lauderdale.

A mesonet recorded a wind gust of 64 MPH. Power lines were downed in the area around Middle River Drive and NE 21 Street.

A 61 mph wind gust was reported by mesonet located at the intersection of Griffin and Bonaventure. Power Lines were also down on Griffin Rd between Bonaventure and SW 192nd AVE.

Trained spotter reported a light pole and a couple of signs downed in a parking lot near Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. Initial report was that a tornado caused the damage, but subsequent reports from the spotter and tower personnel at the airport did not confirm the presence of a funnel cloud.||Reports of power lines downed across eastern sections of the city of Fort Lauderdale, mainly near downtown and along and east of US 1.

Trained spotter reported a light pole and a couple of signs downed in a parking lot near Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. Initial report was that a tornado caused the damage, but subsequent reports from the spotter and tower personnel at the airport did not confirm the presence of a funnel cloud.||Reports of power lines downed across eastern sections of the city of Fort Lauderdale, mainly near downtown and along and east of US 1.

A thunderstorm produced a wind gust of 64 mph near the intersection of West Hillsboro and South Powerline Drive in Deerfield Beach.

Lightning struck a home in Pembroke Pines blowing a small hole in the roof and roofing tiles onto a parked car. The tiles caused minor damage to the car. No fire was started by the strike, however power was knocked out.

Street flooding was observed in Pompano Beach between I-95 and Powerline Road from Copans Road to Sample Road. No water entered structures, however streets and parking lots were flooded.

Extensive and severe flooding occurred over southeastern Broward and northeastern Miami-Dade counties. Hardest-hit communities were Dania Beach, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Park and Aventura. As much as 14 inches of rain fell in about 6 hours in North Miami Beach, with other mesonet reports along with radar estimates showing an area of 8 to 13 inches of rain primarily along and east of I-95 in the above-mentioned communities. Severe flooding began around 730 PM in Dania Beach, gradually progressing southward between 8 and 10 PM to cover the rest of the affected area. ||A total of 101 homes sustained major flood damage in Broward County, with an additional 88 homes having minor damage. Water was reported to be as high as 2 feet deep inside some homes, and a mobile home park in Pembroke Park had to be evacuated due to the rising water. Shelters were opened in Hallandale Beach and Hollywood to accommodate the evacuees. Six businesses also sustained significant water damage. Two buildings had roof collapses, one in Hallandale Beach and another in Aventura. Hundreds of cars were damaged or destroyed by the water.||In addition to the water damage, about 2,000 customers lost power in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Damage totals are estimated based partially on average amount of loss per home.

Lightning hit a gas station in Miramar blowing a hole in the roof and knocking out power. The gas station attendant saw the flash and heard the thunder, but was not injured.

A retired air force personnel reported wind gusts in excess of 50 knots along with power out at the intersection of University and Broward Blvd.

The Davie Police Department reported trees down near SW 131 Ave and 9th Place. County wide, 3,168 homes and businesses lost power from these afternoon thunderstorms according to Florida Power and Light.

An EF0 tornado touched down just north of Interstate 595 and moved across the Riverland Village, Melrose Park and Washington Park neighborhoods of west Fort Lauderdale. The tornado moved north-northeast, roughly paralleling 31st Avenue, before lifting just south of Sunrise Boulevard. The tornado's widest point was about one-eighth of a mile between SW 4th St and SW 8th St, or between Davie and Broward Boulevards. Minor damage to roofs was noted along with fences, awnings, power lines and trees blown down.

Power lines reported down at Commercial Boulevard and NW 70th Avenue in Tamarac.

Coral Springs PD reported downed power lines at Sawgrass Expressway and Atlantic Boulevard.

A power pole was blown down near University Drive and Commercial Boulevard.

A severe thunderstorm wind gust blew down a power pole which electrocuted seven goats and a llama who were standing in a pasture.

SKYWARN spotter reported trees and power lines blown down near Sunview Park.

Power lines were blown down.

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Nearly stationary upper level troughing over the region helped keep deep moisture in place to produce widespread convection. Strong thunderstorms developed along the pinned east coast sea breeze. One thunderstorm produced a wind gust that knocked down a power line in Broward County.

Scattered thunderstorms developed along sea breeze collisions and moved east towards the coast. The strongest storms produced small hail and gusty winds to cause power lines and small to medium size trees to be uprooted.

An upper level low pressure area over the western Caribbean Sea combined with deep tropical moisture associated with a tropical wave produced periods of heavy rainfall across South Florida. The combination of the heavy rains and gusty winds led to about 2000 people losing power.

A strong cold front produced a line of strong to severe thunderstorms that moved across South Florida during the morning and early afternoon. Approximately 4,000 customers lost power in Collier County, with an estimated 5,800 in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

Moist westerly flow and an upper level trough over North Florida led to the development of severe thunderstorms over Southeast Florida and the adjacent Atlantic waters. A total of 23,000 people lost power as a result of the storms, mostly in Broward County.

A surface frontal boundary north of the area along with the continuation of moist and unstable SW flow aloft led to a third consecutive day of severe storms over South Florida. Strong winds from the storms caused power outages to an estimated 7,700 residents of Broward and Palm Beach counties.

A SKYWARN spotter reported a thunderstorm downburst and large hail which uprooted several small trees, blew over two fences and power line, blew out a car window and damaged the roof of a hotel.

A SKYWARN spotter saw penny-size hail and trees uprooted along Miramar Parkway. Power was out to 5,800 customers in Broward County.

Trees and power lines were blown down in areas from Pembroke Pines to Miramar.