Strong evening thunderstorms had parts of inland Hendry and Glades counties on alert Saturday as the National Weather Service in Miami issued a special weather statement for LaBelle, Port LaBelle and Palmdale. Forecasters warned that fast-moving storms could kick up gusts near 55 mph and drop brief, penny-sized hail. The advisory, which highlighted small communities along the Caloosahatchee, was set to expire at 7:15 p.m. EDT as the cells pushed east across the region. Residents were urged to head indoors and secure loose outdoor items until the storms move through.
The alert, posted by the National Weather Service in Miami on X, included a compact map outlining the towns caught inside the warning polygon. The agency advised anyone outdoors to seek shelter in a sturdy building while the line of storms tracks across the area.
Where The Storms Were Headed
Radar-driven alert maps stretched across portions of Glades and Hendry counties and specifically called out Venus, Palmdale, LaBelle, Goodno, Pioneer and Alva, according to LocalConditions. The notice warned of penny-size hail and damaging wind gusts strong enough to snap small limbs and toss around unsecured items. Drivers on rural roads were urged to be ready for sudden hail and briefly reduced visibility in heavier downpours.
Safety Steps And Impacts
Forecasters noted that winds in the 50 to 55 mph range can bring down small branches, topple weakened trees and trigger localized property damage, and they repeated the recommendation to shelter indoors until the storms pass, per NWS Miami. Anyone who encounters downed power lines or significant damage is urged to contact local emergency services and report what they see so utilities can respond quickly. Residents were also advised to stay tuned to local forecasts and official NWS updates until the advisory expires.
We will keep an eye on updates and share new information if the situation is upgraded to a warning. People in the listed communities are encouraged to follow local emergency channels and National Weather Service alerts for any further developments tonight.
