Heavy Storms Wallops Parts Of Broward, Lightning Strike Hit Alligator Alley

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - South Florida got hit with a powerful punch of storms on Monday.

Davie Fire Rescue said they received numerous reports of transformers being out, along with downed tree branches and other debris, in the area of State Road 84 and Pine Island Road. They could not confirm if a tornado touched down.

In Pompano Beach, two city workers in a canal cleaning boat experienced a lightning strike next to them while trying to escape the approaching storm. Neither was hit directly.

Both were taken to Broward Health North as a precaution.

Road flooding was reported in both Miami-Dade and Broward.

The Florida Highway Patrol reported a car on I-75/Alligator Alley was struck by lightning at mile marker 30.5. The lightning strike, which occurred during a heavy rainstorm, damaged the roof antenna and electrical system of the Nissan. In addition, the strike left a 7-foot long, 4-inch wide gouge in the road. The driver of the Nissan, a 48-year-old man from Naples, was not injured.

Officials are warning drivers of the dangers on the road in bad storms.

"As water may be deeper than it appears hiding all sorts of hazards like debris, sharp objects, washed out road surfaces," says Erika Benitez, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

Even Gov. Ron DeSantis was impacted. The governor was scheduled to speak at a Jewish community center in Surfside at noon. However, his plane was diverted to Palm Beach due to the weather in the area. His appearance was delayed by several hours.