Historic rain has pounded Fort Lauderdale and South Florida, bringing severe flooding to the area, crippling services and shutting down the airport, a commuter train and schools.
The region experienced up to 14 inches of rain Wednesday, with nearly a foot falling on Fort Lauderdale in just a few hours, officials said. The National Weather Service urged residents to seek higher ground as it issued a flash flood emergency, describing the situation as “life-threatening.”
Broward County Public Schools canceled classes and all other events Thursday, while the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport ceased operations Wednesday and remained closed Thursday morning.
The Brightline train service stopped its service between Fort Lauderdale and Miami late Wednesday but resumed the route Thursday morning.
“We’ve recorded over 12 inches of rain since midnight, and that’s on top of consecutive days of seemingly nonstop rain,” Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy told CNN. “The ground was already saturated so there is extensive flooding all over our city and throughout South Florida. Many roadways are impassable. Lots of vehicles got stuck and left abandoned in the middle of our roadways.”
Officials haven’t reported any injuries. South Florida braced for more storms Thursday.
“More rain and severe weather possible today as scattered showers and t-storms develop late this morning through the early evening across portions of the East Coast,” the National Weather Service said. “Localized flooding, strong winds, small hail and a few tornadoes all possible.”
NWS Miami meteorologist Ana Torres-Vazquez described the intense downpour to CNN as a “1-in-1,000 year event, or greater.”
“Public Works staff are clearing drains and operating pumps to mitigate the water as quickly as possible,” the City of Fort Lauderdale said Wednesday night. “Efforts have been made to relieve traffic congestion through prioritized signaling to assist individuals leaving the City. We are requesting drivers to stay off the roads and avoid the City of Fort Lauderdale until the water has subsided.”