Tornado confirmed along Alligator Alley in western Broward County
FORT LAUDERDALE - A tornado touched down along Alligator Alley in western Broward County near Collier County on Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service confirmed.
A tornado watch remains in effect until 9 p.m. Wednesday, including South Florida and on the Gulf Coast in Fort Myers and Naples, as Hurricane Milton approaches the state.
The NWC issued several tornado warnings for Broward County, including one from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The tornado along Alligator Alley moved south through the Everglades
CBS News Miami spoke to people at the plaza who saw the funnel cloud as well as road crew picking up cones. A crew member shot some video.
Leonard Smith and his family saw the funnel cloud.
They live on the west coast and drove along Alligator Alleyand were at the service plaza.
"As long as it was headed other way I figured we were OK," he said.
NWS in Miami says at least six tornadoes have been confirmed, according to CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan.
The agency is investigating a possible tornado in the Florida Keys and another one in Clewiston.
"Please take the Tornado Warnings we are issuing as fast as we can seriously!" the National Weather Service in Miami posted on X. "This is a very favorable environment for quick-moving and dangerous Tornadoes."
Taken by Greg Travers on SR80 a few minutes ago!
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) October 9, 2024
**Please take the Tornado Warnings we are issuing as fast as we can seriously!**
This is a very favorable environment for quick-moving and dangerous Tornadoes. https://t.co/mROCXoeq8I pic.twitter.com/0AIX1iuOBl
Alligator Alley extends 80 miles from a toll plaza just east of Naples to an interchange with I-595 and the Sawgrass Expressway (SR 869) in Sunrise just west of Fort Lauderdale.
Traffic on Alligator Alley has been heavy with people evacuating from Florida's west coast to evade Milton, which is projected to made landfall late Wednesday between Fort Myers and Tampa.
Tolls were suspended Tuesday on Alligator Alley as well as Florida's Turnpike in central Florida and west Florida. The suspension will last seven days.
"With evacuation orders imminent, this will help keep traffic moving and be one less thing for people to worry about ahead of Milton," Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Florida Highway Patrol activated an emergency shoulder use on Alligator Alley and Florida's Turnpike at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Travelers are urged to check FL511.com for the latest traffic conditions and potential road and bridge closures.