MELBOURNE, Fla. – Lightning struck across Central Florida Tuesday afternoon, knocking out the National Weather Service's radar in Melbourne.
A severe storm produced an estimated 4,200 lightning strikes in Brevard and eastern Orange counties over two hours Tuesday, Florida Today reported.
The storms then moved into Indian River and St. Lucie counties, where another 2,000 strikes were recorded, according to meteorologists.
At 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, one bolt hit the elevated radar next to the agency's forecast office in the 400 block of Croton Road, Melbourne.
Getting the radar fixed could take a few days, officials said. Lines attached to the radar also were damaged.
June 28 (1/2) Our KMLB radar was hit by lightning yesterday & is out of service indefinitely. Some key components were damaged by the strike
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) June 28, 2017
That means people going to the weather service's online site can't see approaching weather in real time.
In the meantime, the agency's other services continue including weather alerts.
On Monday, a lightning strike caused a wildfire that closed portions of Interstate 95 for hours Tuesday.
Florida Forest Service officials warn lightning could produce more wildfires in the region.