Flooding, severe thunderstorms hit South Florida

If you’re hitting the road Friday afternoon, you’ll likely be caught in rough weather. Thunder, lightning, downpours and the threat of tornadoes.

Forecasters have issued flood watches, severe thunderstorm warnings and hazardous weather outlooks.

Thunderstorms are likely through Friday afternoon and into the evening, some becoming strong or severe, the National Weather Service said. The strongest storms will bring heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and small hail.

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Thursday saw similar weather activity with nickel-sized hail pelting parts of Miami-Dade and West Broward, and a short-lived tornado with up to 80 mph winds ripping through a neighborhood near Quail Heights.

On Friday, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for South Miami-Dade, including Homestead, Turkey Point and Black Point, until 2:30 p.m. Forecasters predicted 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail that could damage vehicles, roofs and trees.

The severe thunderstorm also caused a tornado warning to be issued for those areas until 2:45 p.m. Forecasters said to expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, trees and vehicles. Residents are being told to take cover.

And the flood watch is in effect until 10 Friday night.

Several active watches and advisories are in effect in Miami-Dade and Broward:

Flood Watch and Advisory

A flood watch is in effect until 10 p.m. for portions of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Forecasters say excessive runoff may cause flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone areas. Urban regions and those with poor drainage could also see flooding.

Regions with heaviest rains are expected to see one to three inches of rain, with isolated amounts of five inches or more in some places, the National Weather Service said.

Because some areas already saw up to three inches of rain on Thursday, Friday’s totals will add to flooding concerns.

▪ Miami-Dade cities and neighborhoods under the watch: Kendall, Hialeah, Carol City, Miami

▪ Broward cities and neighborhoods under the watch: Miramar, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Hollywood, Coral Springs, Jupiter, Sunrise

▪ Palm Beach cities and neighborhoods under the watch: Delray Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Florida Gardens, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Riviera Beach, Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens, Sandalfoot Cove

A flood advisory was specifically issued for the cities of Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Miami Lakes, Hialeah Gardens, Opa- locka and Medley until 2:45 p.m.

Between one to two inches of rain have fallen, with additional one to two inches on the way which could result in minor flooding, forecasters said.

Another flood advisory was issued for the neighborhoods of the Redland, Kendall, Pinecrest, Richmond West, Goulds, Richmond Heights, Princeton and Cutler Bay until 3:45 p.m.

These areas already saw inches of rain on Thursday. Just on Friday, between one and two inches of rain have fallen, with another one to three inches expected.