FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A tropical disturbance has brought a rare flash flood emergency to much of South Florida as residents brace for heavy rainfall expected Thursday and Friday.
Torrential rain and subsequent flooding on Wednesday blocked roads, swept vehicles away and delayed the Florida Panthers’ travel to Canada for their Stanley Cup games against the Edmonton Oilers.
The disorganized storm system was moving from Florida toward the Gulf of Mexico at about the same time hurricane season began in early June. This year, amid concerns that climate change is increasing hurricane intensity, it is forecast to be one of the most active storm seasons in recent memory.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the disturbance has not reached cyclone status and has only a slight chance of becoming a tropical system once it crosses Florida and emerges into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Miami-based National Weather Service said in a post on social media platform X on Thursday that heavy rainfall is expected in the region for the third consecutive day.
The post said, “Even brief periods of heavy rainfall can cause flash flooding!”
Many roads were flooded and impassable for vehicles. On Interstate 95, a main artery in Broward County, southbound traffic was being diverted around flooded sections and contractors were pumping out drainage systems, the Florida Highway Patrol said in an email. The interstate would not reopen until the water was drained, the agency said.
The Miami Weather Service office continued to issue severe warnings.
“Life-threatening flooding continues. Please stay off the roads and move to higher ground,” the service said on social platform X.
The mayors of Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood declared a state of emergency for their cities on Wednesday afternoon. Later on Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also declared a state of emergency for five counties — Broward and Miami-Dade on Florida’s Atlantic coast and Collier, Lee and Sarasota counties on the state’s west coast.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also declared a local state of emergency.
In nearby Hollywood, Mike Wissel was walking his dog, Hummi, home Wednesday afternoon when he became stuck in deep floodwaters on a low-lying street, he told the Miami Herald.
Wiesel said that as he slowed down and stopped, other vehicles drove past him, causing even more water to enter his car. His engine stalled.
“I would have gotten out of my car and left, but their dog has a problem with the water,” he told the Herald.
In Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood, the lobby of a building Alfredo Rodriguez moved into a year ago was still flooded Wednesday morning. He told the Herald the building has flooded five times since he moved in.
“It’s terrible. I can’t drive my car,” he said of the flooded streets.
Dozens of flights were delayed or canceled at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The NHL’s Florida Panthers were delayed more than three hours in leaving Fort Lauderdale for their nearly six-hour flight to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
In response, the National Weather Service in Melbourne confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Hobe Sound, north of West Palm Beach on Florida’s Atlantic coast, early Wednesday.
Martin County Fire Rescue officials said strong winds knocked down several banyan trees and caused some damage to a store. No injuries were reported, but debris on the road blocked access to wealthy Jupiter Island.
It’s already been a rainy and windy week in Florida. Miami received about 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain on Tuesday, and Miami Beach got 7 inches (17 centimeters), according to the National Weather Service. Hollywood got about 5 inches (12 centimeters).
In addition to Tuesday’s rain, about 9 inches (23 centimeters) of snow fell in parts of South Florida between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday, said Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School.
“We are in a crisis,” McNoldy wrote.
More rain is forecast for the rest of the week, prompting the weather service office in Miami to issue a flash flood warning until Thursday. Some locations could receive up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) more.
The western part of the state, much of which has been in a prolonged drought, also got some good rain. The weather service said about 6.5 inches (16.5 centimeters) of rain fell at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport on Tuesday, and flash flood warnings were issued for those areas as well.
Forecasts say hurricane season will be unusually busy.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates there’s an 85% chance the Atlantic hurricane season will be above average, with 17 to 25 named storms predicted in the coming months, including 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes. An average season features 14 named storms.
