Powerful storms hit Florida, Arizona

MELBOURNE, Fla., July 16 (UPI) -- Heavy thunderstorms caused property damage, power outages and lightning strikes in parts of Florida and Arizona, officials say.

Scott Donovan, fire investigator for Winter Park, Fla., said a lightning strike hit an apartment building Wednesday, resulting in 16 families becoming homeless but no reported injuries, The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Thursday.

Lightning also damaged equipment in Osceola County, Fla., resulting in 1,119 Kissimmee Utility Authority customers losing power temporarily. The roof of a warehouse in Orange County, Fla., was torn off during one of the storms and witnesses reported a possible tornado.

In Arizona, the cities of Chandler and Scottsdale were hit by lighting strikes and strong winds, The Arizona Republic said.

Winds, which reached speeds of up to 60 mph, were blamed for power outages in the cities. National Weather Service meteorologist Austin Jamison said lightning strikes occurred in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Pinal County.

AccuWeather.com said parts of Delaware, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire could face similar heavy thunderstorms Thursday.