JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Heavy rain, high winds and lightning moved through Jacksonville Tuesday afternoon, causing street flooding, power outages, damaging lightning strikes and tree limbs down.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported two northbound lanes of Interstate 95 were blocked due to high water. The downpour flooded several other roads, including Cassat Avenue near Interstate 10. Standing water was also reported on Third Street at Jacksonville Beach.
Two employees were shocked when lightning that struck a McDonald's restaurant at Jacksonville Beach, sending high voltage through the cash register, according to Jacksonville Fire-Rescue. The manager said they were not seriously injured.
A viewer reported that a fire at Neptune Beach was believed to be a result of lightning. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reports multiple trees down on Cesery Boulevard in the Lake Lucina area.
As of 5:15 p.m., the JEA reported over 1,000 customers in greater Jacksonville were without power.
Chief Meteorologist John Gaughan sent alerts about the severe weather starting before 4 p.m., reporting high wind gusts and heavy. By 5 p.m., there had been accumulations of nearly 2 inches.
About 5:30 p.m., Gaughan told Channel 4 newscast on the newscast that the heaviest weather was moving off the coast.
INTERACTIVE: Live radar
A second strong storm cell was moving out of the Okefenokee Swamp through Columbia and Baker County that would likely make it into Clay County by 7 p.m.
News4Jax sent crews across town capturing the effects of the storm. Watch continuing coverage online and complete coverage on The 10 O'Clock News.