Thursday afternoon storm scatters construction barrels along State Road 82 near Immokalee

A Thursday afternoon storm with strong winds scattered construction barrels along State Road 82 near Corkscrew Road, leaving behind hazardous conditions and visible damage. A Gulf Coast News viewer reported the damage, which included dozens of traffic drums blown into a roadside ditch. These barrels, typically used to line the road widening project, were displaced, leaving a gap between the open lanes and the construction site. When visited hours after the storm, a worker was seen putting the barrels back into place one by one. A driver, speaking off-camera, said the storm blew the barrels into their path, creating dangerous driving conditions. Chief Meteorologist Allyson Rae said the damage was likely caused by strong wind gusts. "Forty to 50-mile-per-hour winds; you could also have that blinding rainfall, which we know on the roads can be just as dangerous," Rae said. Many barrels remain scattered near the woods. The Florida Department of Transportation has been contacted to determine when the remaining debris will be cleared. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.