Florida Special Weather Statement | Effective 05/18/2026 12:59

Headline: 
Special Weather Statement issued May 18 at 3:59PM EDT by NWS Miami FL
Event: 
Special Weather Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
May 18, 2026 - 12:59pm
Expires: 
May 18, 2026 - 1:30pm
Description: 
At 359 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm 7 miles east of Copeland, or 12 miles northeast of Everglades City, moving west at 10 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include... Everglades City, Plantation Island, Big Cypress National Preserve, Carnestown, Dade-Collier Training Airport, Copeland, Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, Jerome, and Deep Lake.
Instruction: 
These winds can down small tree limbs and branches, and blow around unsecured small objects. Seek shelter in a safe building until the storm passes.
Area Description: 
Coastal Collier County; Inland Collier County; Mainland Monroe
Forcast Office: 
NWS Miami FL