Severe Thunderstorms Batter South Florida

Widespread power outages, downed trees, and flash flooding reported across the region.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:35pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a massive, swirling supercell thunderstorm dominating the horizon, with a small town or city dwarfed in the foreground, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural forces at play.A powerful thunderstorm system overwhelms a South Florida community, underscoring the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events.Palm Beach Gardens Today

A powerful line of severe thunderstorms swept through South Florida on Friday afternoon, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and large hail. The storms caused widespread power outages, downed trees and power lines, and flash flooding in several counties, including Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade.

Why it matters

The severe weather event comes just weeks before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, raising concerns about the region's preparedness and resilience in the face of increasingly extreme weather patterns driven by climate change.

The details

The National Weather Service issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watches throughout the afternoon as the storms moved rapidly across the region. Gusts of up to 70 mph were reported, along with hail the size of quarters in some areas. Thousands of customers lost power, and several major roadways were blocked by fallen trees and power lines.

  • The storms began developing around 2 PM on Friday, April 14, 2026.
  • The severe weather peaked between 3 PM and 5 PM, with the worst conditions reported in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
  • Power outages and cleanup efforts continued well into the evening hours.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing severe weather alerts and warnings.

Florida Power & Light

The electric utility company serving much of South Florida, which responded to widespread power outages caused by the storms.

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What they’re saying

“We're seeing some of the most intense storms we've had in this region in years. The damage is widespread, and it's going to take time to get everything cleaned up and restored.”

— Sandra Shaw, WPBF First Warning Meteorologist

“Our crews are working around the clock to safely restore power to all of our customers. We appreciate everyone's patience as we work to get the lights back on.”

— Eric Silagy, President and CEO, Florida Power & Light

What’s next

Florida Power & Light has stated that full power restoration is expected by Sunday evening, April 16th. The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation and issue any necessary updates or advisories.

The takeaway

This severe weather event serves as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of storms driven by climate change, underscoring the need for South Florida communities to invest in resilient infrastructure and emergency preparedness measures to protect residents and businesses.