Hendry storm history

Highest winds occurred in western Hendry county in the LaBelle area where sustained winds probably reached the threshold of hurricane force for a brief time, with gusts of at least 80 mph. Maximum wind gusts across eastern sections of the county were in the 60-70 mph range. Estim…

Hurricane Irma produced maximum recorded sustained winds generally between 55 and 70 mph, although sustained hurricane-force winds probably occurred in at least the western portion of the county. Gusts to hurricane force occurred over virtually the entire county, with a peak reco…

A 57 year old male died and his 56 year old friend was injured when their boat was struck by lightning on Lake Okeechobee. The two men were boating and decided to dock at the Clewiston boat ramps as a thunderstorm approached. As they were making their way back to Clewiston, light…

Wildfires burning muck or peat exposed by ongoing dry conditions along the southwestern shore of Lake Okeechobee spread to over 15 miles long from near Lakeport to near Clewiston and covered almost 30,000 acres as of May 31. Multiple road closures occurred nearly every night thro…

A 49-year-old man was struck and killed by lightning while working on a vegetable farm in rural southern Hendry County.

Hail of dime to quarter dollar size reported around 3 miles south of La Belle on SR 29 with strong to severe thunderstorms in the area.

Most of Hendry County began the month of June in a severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought which lingered until rainfall activity allowed improvement to moderate (D1) drought except for a small area of severe (D2) drought along the eastern portion of the county.

Broadcast Media shared photos of half dollar sized hail that occurred over La Belle as a severe thunderstorm moved overhead.

A Southwest Florida television viewer measured quarter sized hail in LaBelle from a severe thunderstorm.

A member of the broadcast media relayed a viewer report of ping pong ball sized hail during a severe thunderstorm in Pioneer Plantation.

Most of Hendry County began the month of May in an extreme (D3) drought which lingered until rainfall activity mid to late month allowed slight improvement to severe (D2) drought except for a western area of extreme (D3) drought.

Prolonged winter and spring rainfall deficits, with a total 40 to 60 percent of normal, across Hendry County led to the continuation and expansion of severe drought (D2) conditions throughout by mid-April. By the end of April, in a majority of Hendry County, drought had intensifi…

Prolonged winter rainfall deficits, with a total 50 to 70 percent of normal, across Hendry County led to the continuation and expansion of severe drought (D2) conditions throughout March. Keetch-Byram Drought Index was over 500 across the area, and a burn ban continued for Hendry…

Prolonged winter rainfall deficits, with a total 50 to 70 percent of normal, across Hendry County led to the development of severe drought (D2) conditions. Keetch-Byram Drought Index was over 500 across the area, and a burn ban was implemented for Hendry County.

Maximum sustained winds were in the 35 to 45 mph range across Hendry County. The strongest winds of tropical storm force occurred late October 9th into early October 10th. The highest wind gust of 72 mph was recorded at the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) station at Airg…

The tornado first spotted near Interstate 75 just west of the Collier/Broward County line traveled a total 13.52 miles through Collier and Hendry Counties. Florida Department of Transportation traffic cameras and numerous public videos showed the progress of a large tornado acros…

Maximum sustained winds were in the 30 to 35 mph range across Hendry County. Brief wind gusts of tropical storm force occurred. A highest wind gust of 43 kts / 49 mph was recorded at Airglades Airport at 12:55 PM on September 26th. There was minor wind damage, mainly to trees, ac…

Maximum sustained winds were in the 20 to 30 mph range across Hendry County. Highest wind gust of 39 mph was recorded at Airglades Airport outside Clewiston at 4:50 PM on August 4th. Wind damage was minimal.

Report from Hendry County emergency manager of minor damage to a metal roof in Montura, as well as minor damage to a nearby metal fence. Time is estimated based on radar data.

LANDSPOUT. Location: 26.710N, 81.250W. Hendry County Emergency Management confirmed reports of a brief landspout south of State Road 80 near Lexington Parkway. Fire Rescue personnel who observed the landspout stated that it traveled over citrus/sugar fields. This occurred as a se…

Lack of significant rainfall over the previous 2 months led to the development of severe drought (D2) conditions over Hendry County which persisted through mid-June. Less than 2 inches of rain was measured in many areas from April 1st through May 31st. This was approximately 20% …

A Hendry County official reported a funnel cloud near Lexington Parkway and State Route 80 associated with a thunderstorm in the area.

The Tampa Ave wildfire was reported in the Pioneer Plantation area on May 13th after a thunderstorm moved through the area. Wildfire and smoke activity prompted road closures, evacuation orders, and a shutdown of the local power grid. Residents near Tampa Avenue and 21st Street w…

Maximum sustained winds were in the 25 to 30 mph range across Hendry County. Highest wind gust of 45 mph was recorded at Airglades Airport outside Clewiston at 3:30 PM. Wind damage was minimal.

As much as 6 to 9 inches of rain fell in the Port LaBelle area during the late afternoon and early evening of July 31st, leading to street flooding. An additional 3-5 inches of rain from August 1 through August 3 exacerbated flooding conditions. Cowboy Way was closed for several …

As much as 6 to 9 inches of rain fell in the Port LaBelle area during the late afternoon and early evening of July 31st, leading to street flooding. Cowboy Way was closed for several days from Birchwood Parkway to NW Raintree Blvd. No structures were impacted. The flooding contin…

The Hendry County Emergency Manager reported wind damage to private and public property in Clewiston due to a severe thunderstorm. Damage included a roof collapse at Clewiston Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and downed large tree branches.

Broadcast meteorologist and county emergency managers reported several trees down and fence damage in Clewiston in the area near Clewiston Middle School and extending south to Sykes Park.

Broadcast media shared a picture of a funnel cloud near La Belle, associated with a thunderstorm.

Increasing rainfall which began in April, continued during the first part of the month across Southwest Florida. As a result, lingering dryness from the spring drought came to an end at the beginning of May as groundwater levels and soil moisture increased.

Lack of significant rainfall over the previous 3 months led to the continuation of extreme drought (D3) conditions over most of Hendry County in the beginning of April. Less than 3 inches of rain was measured in many areas from January 1st through March 31st. This was approximate…

After a dry January and February, below normal rainfall continued over Hendry County in March. These prolonged dry conditions led to the designation of severe drought (D2) by the U.S. Drought Monitor, and eventually worsened to extreme drought (D3) on March 28th. A burn ban was i…

Maximum sustained winds were in the 25 to 30 mph range across Hendry County. Highest wind gust of 40 mph was recorded at Airglades Airport in Lantana at 5:35 AM on November 10th. Wind damage was minimal.

LaBelle fire station employee reported quarter size hail.

Report relayed by emergency manager of hail larger than quarter size near Nobles Road in NW LaBelle. Time is radar estimated.

Emergency managers reported hail up to the size of quarters. Car reported dented from large hail along Florida SR 80 near the border of Glades and Hendry counties.

WINK TV relayed a report and photo of very large hail associated with a severe thunderstorm in LaBelle. The hail was estimated to be about 2 inches in diameter. Time estimated via radar.

A total of 4-6 hours of freezing temperatures were registered in Hendry County on the morning of January 31st. The lowest recorded temperature was 29 degrees in Felda. Crop damage was confined to the most sensitive vegetable and fruit crops.

A total of 4-6 hours of freezing temperatures were registered in Hendry County on the morning of January 30th. The lowest recorded temperature was 30 degrees at Airglades Airport outside of Clewiston, although temperatures in the upper 20s likely occurred in far western parts of …

A severe thunderstorm moved ESE over Clewiston, producing damage along an approximately half-mile long path. First indication of damage was at the intersection of Berner Road and US 27 where a shed was blown onto the edge of the roadway, power lines were downed, and shopping cart…

A trained spotter reported hail up to quarter size (1.00 inch) on Highway 29 in Hendry County between Labelle and Felda.