Huge crane atop Miami high-rise collapses in Irma's winds
![miami-crane-collapse_1505059768134-404023.png](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox9.com/www.fox9.com/content/uploads/2019/08/764/432/f80f9bfd-miami-crane-collapse_1505059768134_4123625_ver1.0_640_360.png?ve=1&tl=1)
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MIAMI (AP) - A crane atop a high-rise building under construction collapsed Sunday in downtown Miami amid strong winds from Hurricane Irma - the first known crash of the two dozen such heavyweight hazards looming over the city skyline as the monster storm powers across the state.
The crane collapsed in a bayfront area filled with hotels and high-rise condo and office buildings, near AmericanAirlines Arena, according to a tweet from the city of Miami.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the collapse caused damage or injuries.
Emergency personnel were unable to respond because of high winds, Miami-Dade County Director of Communications Mike Hernandez said.
Though Miami is far from Irma's landfall in the Florida Keys, winds from the 400-mile-wide storm were blasting through the metro area. The city was under a tornado watch Sunday.
"AVOID THE AREA!!" the city's tweet said.
Two dozen tower cranes working on construction sites throughout the city were a concern ahead of Irma. Moving the massive equipment, weighing up to 30,000 pounds, is a slow process that would have taken about two weeks, according to city officials.