Unrelenting rain in Fort Lauderdale led to nearly a foot of rainfall within hours, resulting in severe flooding throughout the area. The torrential downpour prompted the closure of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the suspension of Broward County’s high-speed commuter rail service, and the shuttering of schools in the region.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the city of Fort Lauderdale advised residents and visitors to stay off the roads until floodwaters recede. Authorities, including Police and Fire Rescue, remain responsive to emergency calls, while Public Works staff are working to clear drains and operate pumps to alleviate the flooding as rapidly as possible.
Late Wednesday, Broward County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the United States, announced that all schools would be closed on Thursday. Continuous rain on Wednesday led to the suspension of all flights at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport from around 4:15 p.m. Eastern time. The airport stated that it is expected to remain closed until at least noon on Thursday due to ongoing flooding impacting airport roadways.
#TravelAlert No. 5. Please note that #FLL is now expected to remain closed until at least noon (12PM) on Thursday, April 13, 2023. The entrance roadways are still closed until further notice. Roadway updates will be provided as more information is available… pic.twitter.com/tu02MavaeJ
— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL) (@FLLFlyer) April 13, 2023
The area received up to 14 inches of rain by Wednesday, with the National Weather Service predicting an additional 2 to 4 inches as a warm front continues to move northward, carrying the potential for thunderstorms. Over 12,000 Florida residents were left without power on Wednesday night, as reported by PowerOutage.us.
Brightline, South Florida’s high-speed commuter rail service, announced the suspension of train service between Miami and Fort Lauderdale on Twitter on Wednesday evening due to the heavy rain.
A flash flood emergency was declared by the National Weather Service in Miami at around 8 p.m. Wednesday for Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas, including Hollywood and Dania Beach. Shortly after, a tornado warning was issued for nearby areas such as Davie, Plantation, and Lauderhill. The flash flood emergency was extended into the pre-dawn hours of Thursday as the risk of thunderstorms persisted, with a warning that this is a “life-threatening situation” and urging people to seek higher ground immediately.
Eyewitnesses captured video footage of water entering an airport terminal and a deluge rushing down the tarmac between planes. On Broward Boulevard, a man was seen swimming to the curb during rush hour as cars drove by on the inundated street. Drivers documented their journeys through streets submerged in brown, swirling water that reached wheel wells or nearly covered car hoods.
No immediate reports of injuries or fatalities have been received at this time.
