Storms Pummel Florida, Closing Schools, Roads

Flooding closed schools and highways Tuesday in parts of Florida after two days of storms that pounded Gulf Coast states with tornadoes, high wind and heavy rain, officials said. One person was killed.

Possible tornadoes were reported early Tuesday from Orlando to Daytona Beach, the National Weather Service said, but no major damage was seen. On Monday, five tornadoes had struck various parts of the state, damaging five homes but causing no injuries.

In Cape Coral, tree trimmer Edward Fischer, 32, was electrocuted Monday when high wind pushed a branch onto a power line.

Schools were closed Tuesday in several North Florida counties because of flooded roads and downed power lines. Sections of Interstates 95 and 10 were closed in Jacksonville during the morning rush because of flooded access ramps.

Flood warnings and watches were posted across North Carolina, where Wilmington got a record 2.7 inches of rain Monday. In Virginia, Roanoke had scattered street flooding, police said.