Torrential rain in South Florida: Fort Lauderdale received nearly a foot (30 cm) of rain in a matter of hours—causing widespread flooding, closing the city’s airport, and suspending high-speed commuter rail service for the Broward County area.
The city of Fort Lauderdale issued a statement on Wednesday (April 12) urging residents and visitors to stay off the streets until the water recedes.
“The police and fire service are continuing to respond to calls,” the statement said. “Public Works crews are clearing drains and operating pumps to reduce water seepage as quickly as possible.” The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for Fort Lauderdale and other areas that will last into the pre-dawn hours of Thursday as thunderstorms are expected across the region, warning: “This is a life-threatening The situation is in. Seek higher ground now!
There were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths.
Up to 14 inches of water had fallen across the region as of Wednesday, and the National Weather Service said another 2 to 4 inches were expected as a warm front moved north, bringing thunderstorms.
Here’s what Mayor Josh Levy said:
Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy told CNN that the area has already received several days of rain. “The ground was already saturated so there is widespread flooding in our city and throughout South Florida. Many roads are impassable. A lot of vehicles got stuck and were abandoned in the middle of our roadways,” Levy said. This is the worst flood ever.”
According to Poweroutage.us, more than 22,000 customers were without power in Florida Wednesday night. All Broward County public schools will remain closed Thursday, the district tweeted, adding, “All afterschool activities, events and extracurricular activities are also canceled tomorrow.”
Wednesday’s incessant rain prompted the airport, one of the largest in the region, to suspend all incoming and outgoing flights, the airport tweeted at around 4:15 p.m. At approximately 5:00 p.m., the airport announced the suspension of ground transportation shuttle service in response to recurring tornado warnings and ongoing heavy rainfall.
The main routes to enter and exit the airport were flooded and impassable, the airport said at about 5:15 p.m. “Please do not attempt to enter or leave the airport at this time,” it warned.
Airport Operations:
Airport operations are expected to remain closed until at least noon on Thursday, it said in a statement. The heavy rain also prompted the closure of South Florida’s high-speed commuter rail service. Brightline posted on Twitter Wednesday evening that train service between Miami and Fort Lauderdale has been suspended.
In Miami the National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency at approximately 8:00 p.m. Wednesday to Fort Lauderdale, along with areas around Hollywood and Dania Beach. Shortly afterwards, forecasters issued tornado warnings for nearby Davie, Plantation and Lauderhill.
Videos taken by eyewitnesses showed water gushing through an airport terminal door and rushing down the tarmac into a virtual river between planes. On Broward Boulevard, a man was seen floating on a busy street in a busy street while cars passed by.
Drivers recorded themselves rolling through roads where brown, swirling water was up to the wheel wells or to the hoods of cars.
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