Thunderstorms batter South Florida, causing extensive flooding, power outages – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

MIAMI (WSVN) – The skies opened up above South Florida, bringing torrential downpours and strong thunderstorms to the region and leaving thousands of residents without power.

Late Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for portions of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. As of 7:30 p.m., street flood advisories remain in effect in parts of both counties.

7News cameras captured several inches of standing water along Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale, as drivers made their way through as best they could.

Cameras also showed flooded roads in Hialeah and Miami Lakes.

Cellphone video and pictures posted to social media also captured the inclement weather. A 7News viewer snapped a picture of a lightning bolt in Cooper City.

On Interstate 95, dashcam video captured a downpour near the Northwest 79th Street exit in Miami.

Sunday evening, Florida Power and Light reported 5,419 customers without power in Miami-Dade and 1,029 customers in Broward.

Just after 7 p.m., City of Miami Police responded to the area of Northeast Third Avenue and 79th Street in reference to live wires and a power outage. Officers shut down Northeast 80th Street between Third Court and Fourth Avenue and advised drivers to expect delays and avoid the area if possible.

The incessant rainfall has since begun to decrease in intensity and overall coverage, but drivers are warned to exercise caution when heading out Sunday night.

Memorial Day weekend crowds enjoyed sunny weather through most of Saturday, but heavy rain moved across the area, even prompting reports of pea-sized hail in Miami Lakes.

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