Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, faced severe flooding on Wednesday following heavy rainfall that led to the declaration of a state of emergency by Governor Ron DeSantis. The torrential rain caused life-threatening flooding in various counties across South Florida, including Broward, Miami-Dade, Collier, and Hendry. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for these areas, urging residents to stay off the roadways and avoid unnecessary travel.
Social media footage showed water levels rising to car windows in some areas, with parking decks and neighborhood streets submerged. Miami experienced its second consecutive day of flooding, with 2 to 5 inches of rain inundating the streets on Tuesday. In Hallandale Beach, videos captured a man kayaking through flooded streets as city officials advised residents to seek shelter and refrain from walking or driving through the high waters.
The heavy rain and flooding impacted critical infrastructure, such as major interstates, roadways, schools, and airports, prompting Governor DeSantis to declare emergencies in multiple counties. In Fort Lauderdale, Mayor Dean Trantalis also declared a local state of emergency due to excessive rain and flooding, with reports of high water levels on roads across the city.
Flight operations at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport were disrupted, with hundreds of flights being canceled or delayed. The ongoing heavy rain events in South Florida are attributed to the increasing intensity of daily downpours caused by fossil fuel pollution and a surge of tropical moisture from the Caribbean.
Forecasters predict that the region will continue to experience heavy rainfall throughout the week, with reports of possible double-digit rainfall totals in some areas. Despite the risks of flash flooding, the rain is seen as beneficial for addressing drought conditions in parts of Florida. The presence of a Central American gyre, a large system of showers and thunderstorms rotating over Central America, is intensifying the wet weather in the Gulf Coast, including Florida.
As the rainy season begins, meteorologists warn that the wettest months of the year lie ahead, bringing frequent surges of tropical moisture and potential impacts from tropical systems. The Central American gyre’s formation signals the onset of summer and the start of Florida’s rainy season, setting the stage for continued heavy rainfall and potential flooding in the region.