High Wind, Hail Pound Western Broward
MIAMI (CBS4) - Residents of western Miramar and Pembroke Pines had to run for cover after a severe thunderstorm cell pelted them with hail.
Just after 3:30 p.m. the National Weather Service tracked a severe thunderstorm, capable of producing large hail and winds with gusts in excess of 60 mph, as moved in a northwesterly direction over western Miramar and Pembroke Pines.
They issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the area, anticipating it could drop ping pong ball sized hail and damaging wind.
A NWS employee reported pea sized hail falling at the intersection of the Florida Turnpike and I-75 with larger hail likely between Okeechobee Road and I-75.
At 4 p.m. the storm was moving to the northeast over Pembroke Pines and Southwest Ranches at 15 mph.
Damage reports, including trees down to glass damaged by hail, came in from western Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Weston and Davie. Additionally, Florida Power and Light reported that approximately 5,700 customers throughout Broward lost power during the thunderstorms.
Slideshow: Rain & Hail Pound Western Broward
During South Florida's stormy rainy season, severe thunderstorms can produce winds in excess of 60 mph, large hail, deadly lightning and very heavy rainfall. If an alert or warning is issued, the NWS urges everyone to stay inside and away from windows until the storm has passed.
