NEWS AFFAIRS 7 : WHERE EVERY STORY HAS IT'S AFFAIR!
South Florida weather Key Points :
- Severe Flooding: South Florida experienced between 8 to 20 inches of rain, leading to widespread flooding and rescues.
- Flight Disruptions: Hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled at Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports.
- Emergency Declarations: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a major state of emergency for several counties, allowing access to emergency funds.
- Tornado Impact: A tornado in Hobe Sound caused significant damage with winds up to 95 mph.
- Historic Rainfall: North Miami saw 20 inches of rain in 48 hours, with Sarasota experiencing a record 4 inches in one hour.
- Weather Forecast: The low-pressure system is expected to move northeast, ending the storms by the weekend.
South Florida is grappling with severe flooding as a powerful low-pressure system has drenched the region with record-breaking rainfall. The area remains under a flood advisory as more showers are expected before the weather improves over the weekend.
Starting on Tuesday, the storm dumped between 8 to 20 inches of rain across a vast part of South Florida. This intense downpour led to dozens of rescues as people found themselves trapped in their homes and cars amidst the rising floodwaters. Major highways were closed, and hundreds of flights at Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports were disrupted.
Meteorologists predict that by the end of Friday, an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall, with some areas potentially seeing over 10 inches. The already saturated ground and high river levels increase the flood risk, particularly in low-lying areas where drainage systems have been overwhelmed.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center warned that Friday’s rain could lead to “considerable to locally catastrophic urban flooding.” Showers are expected to start in the morning and continue through much of the afternoon.
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As of Friday morning, only a small percentage of flights at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport were delayed or canceled, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking website. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that ground stops might be necessary after 2 p.m.
In response to the flooding, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a “major state of emergency” for Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade, and Sarasota counties. This declaration allows local agencies to access funds from the state’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund. Several cities, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale, also issued emergency declarations.
On Wednesday, a tornado touched down in Hobe Sound, a community north of Palm Beach. The tornado, with winds reaching up to 95 mph, toppled trees, knocked out power, and damaged homes. It was the only tornado spawned by the storm system and was on the ground for 1.7 miles, impacting several beach communities along the Treasure Coast.
By Thursday, fire and emergency officials were working tirelessly to clear debris and pump water out of flooded neighborhoods. Miami-Dade County deployed high-water vehicles to assist those stranded by the floods. Authorities urged residents to exercise caution, especially when driving, as just 1 foot of moving water can lift and drag vehicles. “There are areas with easily five feet of standing water,” said Andy Alvarez, chief fire officer with the Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue, in a video posted on Facebook.
The rainfall statistics from the storm are staggering. Between Tuesday and Thursday morning, North Miami saw 20 inches of rain, while Hallandale Beach and Hollywood received 19 inches each. On the state’s west coast, Naples was deluged with 17 inches of rain. In Sarasota, nearly 4 inches of rain fell within an hour, the highest amount in such a short period since records began in 1972. At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, 6.77 inches of rain were recorded on Wednesday, surpassing the previous record of 5.47 inches set in 1978.
The weather service forecasts that the low-pressure system will move northeast away from Florida over the weekend, bringing an end to this period of record-breaking storms.
Stay informed and prepared as South Florida navigates through these challenging weather conditions and the ongoing efforts to restore normalcy.
