South Florida is currently experiencing torrential rains, causing “life-threatening flooding” in the region, according to officials. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for residents to stay indoors and avoid dangerous moving waters. The situation has also disrupted air travel, with Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport reporting flooded entrances and exits, leading to delays and cancellations of flights.
The heavy rainfall prompted the Florida Highway Patrol to shut down a portion of southbound Interstate 95 in Broward County. First responders in Hollywood have been rescuing motorists trapped in flooded roads. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean J. Trantalis declared an emergency due to the flooding, advising residents to stay off roads. The excessive rain has overwhelmed drainage systems, rendering pumps ineffective in removing the excess water, which has accumulated to more than half a foot in some areas over the past 48 hours.
The downpours in early June follow record-breaking warmth in May for several cities in Florida. The unprecedented rainfall on Tuesday night in Sarasota is a rare event, occurring only once every 500 to 1,000 years. The continuous rain has posed significant challenges to the region, prompting urgent responses from authorities and a need for assistance from the state.
