Tornado confirmed along Alligator Alley in western Broward County; warning issued
FORT LAUDERDALE - The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Broward County just before 2:30 p.m on Wednesday. The warning goes through 4:15 p.m.
Also, there is a tornado warning for south-central Palm Beach County until 4:15 p.m.
The weather service said, "a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Big Cypress National Preserve, or 26 miles northeast of Chokoloskee, moving north at 40 mph."
A tornado touched down along Alligator Alley in western Broward County near Collier County on Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service confirmed.
It moved south through the Everglades
No injuries were reported and there was no damage to structures, including gas pumps, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
The tornado occurred around 10 a.m. northwest of the Miccosukee Service Plaza, which is just off Interstate 75 — also known as Alligator Alley.
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 okay," 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.
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.
"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."
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.
