NWS: Tornado Touched Down In Dade
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Severe weather hit parts of South Florida Tuesday morning including parts of Miami-Dade County that were hit by a tornado.
Tuesday afternoon, officials with the National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes struck South Florida during morning rush hour- one in Pompano Beach and the other in northeast Miami-Dade, both F-1 category.
Preliminary reports show the tornado that hit Miami-Dade touched down just before 8 a.m. between Sun Life Stadium and the city of Aventura.
"The one in Miami Dade potentially could have crossed I-95," said a National Weather Service official.
The tornado caused some injuries, a fire, damage to roofs and one building was even evacuated.
Cell phone video shows how the tornado tore open a section of the roof at a 37-unit building at northeast 10th avenue and 191st street. Residents were evacuated due to the damage.
Dominic Santio's father was injured by flying debris as the winds shattered the glass of his Miami Gardens apartment.
"It was surreal. I see the damage and thank God he is okay," said Santio.
Chopper 4 showed damage to units at the Aventura Harbor Complex on northeast 195th Street and 10th Avenue. Not far away, the twister's strong winds displaced tiles on roofs of condominiums.
In northeast Miami-Dade and sections of northwest Miami-Dade, hundreds of trees were ripped out or torn apart. Some trees fell on cars. An entire swing set ended up in a pool.
"A noise that was big. Like a swish for a few seconds," said northwest Miami-Dade resident Ruth Blaunt.
Dramatic images in Miami Gardens showed a fire that broke out after a power line, knocked down by the storm, sparked a shed fire.
"I heard it. I heard it and I go ooooooh, and I called my son and I said 'Peter it must be a tornado because I've never heard this before' and then when I looked up I saw the trees tumbling down and after the rain ease up, I come out and then my niece said 'fire in the back,'" said Miami Gardens resident Kenneth Brown.
Dade resident Claudio Cruz was disturbed by the wild weather.
"Really scary, you know and it was like 8 o'clock and I was sleeping," said Cruz. "I went to the window and I saw that tree like blowing away."
Another resident, was shocked when he looked out the window.
"I heard like a loud bang and I go to check on our patio, our sliding door and I see like everything is like falling apart," said resident Eric Cruz. "I know the house behind us, their patio collapsed entirely."
Earlier, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews were out assessing the damage after the tornado touched down. Officials said they were responding to reports of major debris on roads and downed power lines.
A road sign was ripped in half and smashed down onto David Matienzo's car as he drove to work.
"Just bam..like flashed and hit the front of the car and shattered the window," said Matienzo.
A tractor-trailer turned over on I-95. Severe winds ripped the top off the 18-wheeler and tossed it on its side near Exit 16 at NE 203rd Street and Ives Dairy Road.
Click here to see pictures of the damage in South Florida.
"I knew right away because of the wind everything is flying and the truck start moving. I knew exactly what was gonna happen," said Luc Danis who was driving the tractor-trailer at the time.
Fortunately, no major injuries were reported.
Related: Wild Weather Downs Power Lines, Uproots Trees In Broward
Emergency crews had to use a crane to remove the tractor trailer. Lanes on I-95 had to be closed down at that time but were reopened around noon. Click here for the latest traffic information.
Miami-Dade Fire officials are asking residents to be aware of downed power lines. They say if a power line ever falls on your car, stay in the car and wait for help. Anyone who needs to report a downed power line can call 1-800-468-8243. They are also asking drivers to avoid driving through standing water.
Due to the severe weather, more than 16,000 Miami-Dade County residents were without power, according to Florida Power & Light.
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