Severe thunderstorms topple trees in South Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Severe thunderstorms flooded neighborhoods, toppled trees and sent objects flying in both Miami-Dade and Broward County Tuesday.
"The lightning was like it was coming through the window and the thunder sounded like it was shaking the house," said Patrick Elliott.
Moments later, a tree crashed through the roof of Elliott's home. A lightning bolt struck a ficus tree, splitting it in two and sent part of it crashing into the home, barely missing the children who were playing inside.
In Weston, strong winds from the same storm system ripped a pool's screen enclosure and tossed furniture outside of a home. "It looked like the Wicked Witch of the West was going to come out of it. It was pretty frightening," said Marty Smetanka.
In Miami Beach, the rain came down faster than storm drains could handle. Public works crews popped open man holes to help drain the water. "Water, yes. This is like a swimming pool," said one commuter.
In Deerfield Beach, the relentless rain flooded apartments, while the powerful winds toppled power lines and trees in Southwest Ranches.
A second round of storms moved through the area in the afternoon and caused a driver to lose control of a vehicle, striking a light pole in Plantation. "It was an awful crash. I came out, and I saw the light pole down," said one resident.
However, back near Fort Lauderdale where a tree damaged a home, a family was left to count their blessings. "Fortunately, there was no one injured in this case, but from what we've seen, this was probably the most serious damage of the day," said Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Mike Jachles. "Again, it was a miracle that the two young girls inside, just feet away from where the tree came crashing through, were not injured."
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