Governor Declares Emergency as Heavy Rain and ‘Life-Threatening Flooding’ Strike South Florida
On Wednesday, torrential rain caused flooding in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, causing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to proclaim a state of emergency. The flood stranded drivers and disrupted the region.
The NWS issued flood advisories for Broward, Miami-Dade, Collier, and Hendry counties until Thursday morning. Flood alerts for Miami and Fort Lauderdale were extended to Friday evening due to “life-threatening flooding.”
“Many areas are inundated with water with stalled cars, and more rainfall is on the way,” the NWS advised, recommending locals to avoid roads.
Flooding reached car windows, parking decks, and neighborhood streets, as seen on social media. Nearly all Miami automobiles were underwater. Miami experienced its second straight day of flooding on Tuesday, with storms dropping 2–5 inches of rain.
One man kayaked among cars in flooded Hallandale Beach. Officials advised residents to stay put and avoid driving or walking in the water. Local police helped reconnect a family who lost their son in the storm.
Flooding on Hallandale Beach Boulevard and US Route 1 trapped a woman in her car for five hours. The lights were out at many junctions, and automobiles were stuck and abandoned. Hollywood resident Kait Madrigal said he’d never seen anything like that.
According to an NWS damage survey, an EF1 tornado hit Hobe Sound in Martin County, 35 miles north of West Palm Beach.
Governor DeSantis declared an emergency in Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade, and Sarasota counties due to the impact on major interstates, roadways, schools, and airports.
Broward County officials delayed the demolition of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where a 2018 massacre occurred, until Friday due to bad weather. Localized flooding forced Collier County School District to close summer school and child care on Thursday.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis issued a municipal state of emergency after Wednesday’s preliminary rainfall total of 9.58 inches, the eighth wettest day on record. Heavy rainfall caused “high water” on city highways, prompting emergency management to use high water vehicles and vacuum trucks.
Due to bad weather, Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport canceled or delayed almost 600 flights.
Tropical moisture from the Caribbean will feed heavy rainfall throughout the week. The National Hurricane Center estimates a low possibility of these storms forming the first tropical depression of the season. Southwest Florida might have 20 inches of rain by Friday.
The Weather Prediction Center predicted 3 to 6 inches of rain and a level 2 to 4 flood threat for Southeastern Florida through Friday.
Despite the hurdles, rain may help drought-stricken areas. The US Drought Monitor shows about half of Florida is under drought, with the worst drought in places receiving the most rain.
Source: CNN