Rain floods roads in Broward. South Florida is under a flood watch
Heavy rain is falling on South Florida as the afternoon rush hour begins — and forecasters say the worst is yet to come Wednesday afternoon into the evening.
Dozens of accidents were reported in Broward County during the day on slick roads and highways with puddling water.
After-school activities in Broward schools have been canceled due to rain. As of 4 p.m., Broward College has also canceled classes.
If the heavy rains intensify, Fort Lauderdale can expect to see flooded roads and parked cars, just as the area experienced Tuesday night. Meteorologists say the area could see up to 10 inches of rain by the end of the night.
The National Weather Service in Miami said Wednesday afternoon that Wednesday’s rain was linked to a low pressure system that could cause flooding in South Florida through mid-morning Thursday.
Rain bands coming from the Gulf of Mexico are expected to bring 4 to 6 inches of rain across Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Boca Raton. About an inch had already fallen during the morning and afternoon, but no major flooding was reported in the area early Wednesday, National Weather Service meteorologist Ana Torres Vasquez told the Miami Herald.
Tuesday night, storms followed by flooding on major streets brought cars to a standstill in Broward County. “The worst is yet to come,” Torres Vasquez said.
What should South Floridians expect? Here’s the latest update:
The map shows rainfall amounts likely expected in South Florida through Thursday.
( National Weather Service in Miami, via Miami Herald )
The National Weather Service forecast heavy rain Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning.
“Shower activity continues to increase across South Florida early this afternoon, with a high concern for flooding later this afternoon and into the evening hours,” the weather agency said Wednesday on X, previously Twitter.
The weather agency said there is uncertainty about the exact totals and timing of the heavy rainfall, but heavy rainfall is expected in East Coast metro areas.
Meteorologist John Morales said approximate high tide times for the South Florida metro are 10 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. Thursday.
“The ability to drain rainwater into the sea and/or store it underground will diminish in the hour before those times, accelerating flooding,” Morales said.
Torres-Vazquez said the expected rainfall amounts in some areas could reach 10 inches in the worst-case scenario.
“There’s a one in 10 chance of that happening,” Torres-Vasquez said. “Very heavy rains may lead to high-impact flash floods in urban areas,” the meteorological agency said on X’s website.
A flood watch remains in effect for coastal and metro areas of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties through Thursday morning, around 10 a.m. A flood watch is also in effect in the Florida Keys during the same time period.
“Those who live in flood-prone areas should be prepared to take action if flooding occurs,” the National Weather Service in Key West said Wednesday.
A wind warning is in effect for all Atlantic coastal areas, with easterly winds blowing between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts of up to 40 mph possible until 1pm on Thursday. A small craft advisory is in effect for Biscayne Bay until 4pm Wednesday. A storm warning is in effect though 4 p.m. Thursday from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach. There was also a warning for small vessels in the coastal waters of the Florida Keys Wednesday afternoon
