In South Florida, as the storm’s outer bands began sweeping through Monday, towns were desolate and highway traffic sparse from Boca Raton north through St. Lucie County. The storm struck with sporadic periods of driving rain and strong winds: A 56 mph gust was reported at Juno Beach pier. Sustained winds at the pier hit 40 mph, putting them at tropical strength. At 8:29 p.m., the National Weather Service reported a 40 mph gust at its weather station in Palm Beach.