Torrential storms batter South Florida, shut key airport
Practically a foot of rain fell in a matter of hours in Fort Lauderdale – inflicting widespread flooding, the closure of town’s airport and the suspension of high-speed commuter rail service for the Broward County area
FORT LAUDERDALE — Practically a foot (30 centimeters) of rain fell in a matter of hours in Fort Lauderdale – inflicting widespread flooding, the closure of town’s airport and the suspension of high-speed commuter rail service for the Broward County area.
The town of Fort Lauderdale launched a press release Wednesday night urging residents and guests to remain off the roads till the water has subsided.
“Police and Hearth Rescue proceed to reply requires service,” the assertion mentioned. “Public Works workers are clearing drains and working pumps to mitigate the water as shortly as doable.”
Wednesday’s relentless showers prompted the airport, one of many largest within the area, to droop all arriving and departing flights, the airport tweeted round 4:15 p.m.
At round 5 p.m., the airport introduced it shut down floor transportation shuttle service in response to recurring twister warnings and ongoing heavy rainfall.
The primary roadways getting into and exiting the airport had been flooded and impassable, the airport mentioned round 5:15 p.m.
“Please don’t try to enter or go away the airport right now,” it warned.
It mentioned airport operations would restart as soon as the climate improves within the Fort Lauderdale space.
The heavy rains additionally prompted South Florida’s high-speed commuter rail service to close down. Brightline posted on Twitter Wednesday night that practice service between Miami and Fort Lauderdale was suspended.
The Nationwide Climate Service in Miami declared a flash flood emergency round 8 p.m. Wednesday for Fort Lauderdale, together with the areas round Hollywood and Dania Seaside. A short while later, forecasters issued a twister warning for close by Davie, Plantation and Lauderhill.
The service additionally issued a flash flood emergency for Fort Lauderdale and different areas till 11 p.m. EDT, warning: “this can be a life-threatening state of affairs.”
Video taken by witnesses confirmed water coming within the door at an airport terminal and a digital river dashing down the tarmac between planes.
On Broward Boulevard, a person was seen swimming to the curb on the flooded road at rush hour as automobiles rolled by.
Drivers recorded themselves rolling via streets the place brown, swirling water was as much as the wheel wells or almost to the hood of automobiles.
There have been no fast stories of accidents or deaths.