FORT LAUDERDALE — A tornado touched down Wednesday morning along Alligator Alley in western Broward County near Collier County, the National Weather Service confirmed.

A tornado warning remains in effect until 9 p.m. Wednesday, including in South Florida and on the Gulf Coast in Fort Myers and Naples Hurricane Milton approaches the state.

The NWC issued several tornado warnings for Broward County, including one for 2:30 to 4:30 p.m

The tornado along Alligator Alley moved south through the Everglades

CBS News Miami spoke with people on the field who saw the funnel cloud as well as road workers who were picking up cones. A crew member shot a video.

Leonard Smith and his family saw the funnel cloud.

They live on the West Coast and drove down Alligator Alley and were at the Service Plaza.

“As long as it goes the other way, I thought we would be fine,” he said.

According to CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan, at least six tornadoes have been confirmed in Miami, according to the NWS.

The agency is investigating a possible tornado in the Florida Keys and another in Clewiston.

“Please take the tornado warnings we issue seriously as soon as possible!” The National Weather Service in Miami posted on X: “This is a very favorable environment for fast-moving and dangerous tornadoes.”

Alligator Alley stretches 80 miles from a toll plaza east of Naples to an interchange with I-595 and the Sawgrass Expressway (SR 869) in Sunrise west of Fort Lauderdale.

Traffic was heavy on Alligator Alley as people evacuated from Florida’s west coast to escape Milton, which is expected to make landfall late Wednesday between Fort Myers and Tampa.

Tolls were suspended Tuesday on Alligator Alley and on Florida’s Turnpike in Central Florida and West Florida. The ban will last seven days.

“With evacuation orders imminent, this will help keep traffic moving and give people in Milton one less thing to worry about,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The Florida Highway Patrol triggered an emergency shoulder response at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday on Alligator Alley and Florida’s Turnpike.

Travelers are strongly encouraged to check FL511.com for current traffic conditions and possible road and bridge closures.