Tornado snaps trees, knocks semi truck on its side in Miami-Dade. Hail spotted in Broward
A short-lived tornado with up to 80 mph winds split trees, knocked a tractor trailer on its side and injured a trucker on Thursday afternoon in Southwest Miami-Dade, according to the National Weather Service in Miami.
The tornado touched down around 1:20 p.m. at SW 192nd St. and SW 147th Ave., west of the Quail Heights neighborhood, weather service meteorologist Chuck Caracovza told the Miami Herald. The vortex then traveled south a little over half a mile along SW 147th Ave., until almost reaching SW 200th St. around 1:22 p.m.
Several trees were snapped and a semi tractor trailer was knocked on its side by the tornado near SW 196th St, injuring the driver.
Details about the trucker’s injuries weren’t immediately known.
Hail and funnel clouds
Heavy rain and small hail hit South Florida on Thursday afternoon ahead of Memorial Day weekend, and pockets of the region saw some flooding, forecasters said. Hail was reported in parts of West Broward, including Cooper City. Forecasters say the small hail was up to nickel-sized and accompanied by gusts of 40 to 55 mph.
Funnel clouds were spotted in the South Miami Heights neighborhood, with several Twitter posts showing large clouds nearing the ground.
The weather service issued a flood advisory for portions of Miami-Dade and Broward counties due to excessive rainfall and several inches of rain were reported in the region. Those flood advisories expired around 4 p.m. but the weather service said that additional weather alerts may be issued.
Here is the Tornado report/path from twister that impacted SW Miami-Dade Thursday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/F0EyX8FhOG
— Phil Ferro (@PhilFerro7) May 25, 2023
People are advised not to drive through flooded roadways and torrential rainfall.
A disturbance of disorganized showers and thunderstorms off the coast of central Florida may be one cause of the gloomy weather. The National Hurricane Center said it is unlikely form into a cyclone but will still cause adverse weather in the southeast U.S.
Take a look at these videos capturing hail, funnel clouds and potential twisters across South Florida:
5/25 @ 1:45pm: We've received several reports of a funnel cloud in the South Miami Heights Neighborhood. Any reports of damage in that area? https://t.co/lfRjyr9TsW
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) May 25, 2023
We've had several reports of small hail (up to Nickel size) & gusts of 40-55+ mph with the storms thus far today. As well as several report of a funnel cloud in South Miami Heights, & localized flooding. Additional strong/severe storms remain possible today. Stay weather aware. https://t.co/TcKR8H1LZE
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) May 25, 2023
What the hail is going on | #ONLYinDADE pic.twitter.com/ZueJAGrvso
— ONLY in DADE (@ONLYinDADE) May 25, 2023
Video my son took near Southridge High pic.twitter.com/SR2j3RwBrI
— Luigi Pace (@LuigiPace10) May 25, 2023
Caught the tail end of the Tornado ️ in Miami from the Homestead General Aviation Airport @NWSMiami @ONLYinDADE #Weather pic.twitter.com/0poE5s9onR
— Benjamin West (@BWEST187) May 25, 2023
@NWSMiami pic.twitter.com/T97jAV5K7h
— chris dunaway (@cpdunaway) May 25, 2023
