Broward Residents Urged To Stay Inside Til Monday Morning

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Tremendous rain and gusty high winds from Category 4 Hurricane Irma continue to lash Broward County and will do so into the evening hours.

But when the rain and winds begin to subside, residents are being asked to stay inside until law enforcement and first responders have a chance to check the roads and neighbors for problems.

The county has a curfew in place until 10 a.m. Monday, which means all pedestrian and vehicular movement is prohibited except for fire and rescue services, police services, emergency services or hospital services.

Broward Sheriff's Office reports no storm-related arrests.

Residents should expect periodic wind gusts over 80 mph through the afternoon. Broward's storm surge is expected to be two to three feet, peaking on Sunday afternoon.

Broward County has already had 4-8" of rain, and an additional 4-8" is expected. Flooded streets, especially those next to canals, create treacherous conditions for drivers.

At 12 p.m. FPL estimated 450,060 customers were experiencing power outages. More outages are expected as the winds, including hurricane force gusts, pick up in the afternoon.

FPL has 16,000 workers plus equipment in place to restore power once the winds subside. Broward County government offices will be closed on Monday, however essential operations will remain open.

Pembroke Pines officials have confirmed that the traffic light at the intersection of 129th Avenue and Pines Boulevard, a major intersection, is down. A downed tree is blocking southbound Palm Avenue between Johnson Street and Pines Boulevard. Crews will respond as soon as conditions allow.