Stunning Videos Capture Historic Overnight Rain and Flooding in Fort Lauderdale

By Joe Sutton, Taylor Ward and Travis Caldwell, CNN

(CNN) – More rain is in the forecast after substantial downpours inundated Fort Lauderdale and parts of South Florida in a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event, leading to a flash flood emergency in Broward County that closed schools, forced drivers to abandon their cars and shut down the airport through Thursday morning.

While the rain Thursday won’t reach nearly the amounts that fell on Wednesday, it will be problematic and create additional flooding, the National Weather Service said. Gusty winds, small hail, and even isolated tornadoes are possible.

Broward County is under a flood warning through 8 a.m. ET, the weather service in Miami said.

\u201cJust shot this drone video of downtown Fort Lauderdale still flooded right now with countless cars trapped in the high water.\u201d

— Florida Drone Cleaning LLC DOUGLAS THRON (@Florida Drone Cleaning LLC DOUGLAS THRON) 1681372384

Between 14 and 20 inches of rain have drenched the greater Fort Lauderdale metro area since Wednesday afternoon, according to a Thursday morning update from the National Weather Service office in Miami. The deluge is the “most severe flooding that I’ve ever seen,” one mayor said.

“This amount of rain in a 24-hour period is incredibly rare for South Florida,” said meteorologist Ana Torres-Vazquez from the weather service's Miami forecast office.

\u201cFlash Flood Emergency continues for Fort Lauderdale FL, Sunrise FL and Lauderhill FL until 11:00 PM EDT\u201d

— NWS Miami (@NWS Miami) 1681343927

Rainfall of 20 to 25 inches is similar to what the area can receive with a high-end hurricane over more than a day, Torres-Vazquez explained.

“Even though the heavy rain has concluded, numerous roads remain closed,” the weather service said, adding that flooding is expected to persist.

Earlier, Fort Lauderdale was “experiencing severe flooding in multiple areas of the city,” Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said on social media, warning to stay off the roads as vehicles may become stuck or submerged.

A flash flood emergency – the highest level of flood warning – that was in effect for portions of South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, expired early Thursday.

“This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION,” the NWS warned. “Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”

\u201cFort Lauderdale\u2013Hollywood International Airport (FLL/KFLL) is shut down completely, No arrivals or departure , as the Airport is flooded and unofficially shows 25" of rain over the last 24 hours.\n\n#airport #pouring #rain #travel\u201d

— FL360aero (@FL360aero) 1681367466

City crews in Hollywood, Florida, “are doing everything they can” to deploy pumps wherever possible and keep drains clear, Mayor Josh Levy told CNN.

“We’ve recorded over 12 inches of rain since midnight, and that’s on top of consecutive days of seemingly nonstop rain,” Levy said. “The ground was already saturated so there is extensive flooding all over our city and throughout South Florida. Many roadways are impassable. Lots of vehicles got stuck and left abandoned in the middle of our roadways.

“I’ve lived here my whole life. This is the most severe flooding that I’ve ever seen,” he said.

More rain and storms expected Thursday

South Florida could get inundated with more even rain as showers and strong storms are in the forecast Thursday.

\u201c#TravelAlert No. 5. Please note that #FLL is now expected to remain closed until at least noon (12PM) on Thursday, April 13, 2023. The entrance roadways are still closed until further notice. Roadway updates will be provided as more information is available...\u201d

— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL) (@Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL)) 1681356447

“After a historic day of rainfall across portions of South Florida that many of us will not soon forget, another potential wet day is ahead for today,” the weather service in Miami said.

There is a slight risk, Level 2 of 5, for severe storms Thursday in parts of Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Jacksonville, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Floods inundate key parts of Broward County

Fort Lauderdale officials have activated its emergency operations center and will be issuing a proclamation of a local state of emergency, saying in a statement early Thursday morning that airboats and high-clearance buggies have been secured from the county sheriff's office and the Florida Wildlife Commission.

“Staff is assessing park facilities to convert them to staging/reunification centers for individuals impacted by the flash floods. We expect to open these as soon as possible,” the city said. There is "no power at City Hall. We have reports of water flooding the first floor of the Transportation and Mobility (TAM) building.”

The city’s system is designed to take on at least 3 inches of rain in a 24-hour period but they've “had neighborhoods receive more than 12 inchex of rain. Service crews will be out to respond to flooding reports and concerns.”

CNN has reached out to city and county officials for additional information.

\u201cDowntown Fort Lauderdale right now\u201d

— Florida Drone Cleaning LLC DOUGLAS THRON (@Florida Drone Cleaning LLC DOUGLAS THRON) 1681355308

Officials have asked residents to avoid driving or traveling in Fort Lauderdale amid the storms.

“Police and Fire Rescue continue to answer calls for service,” the city of Fort Lauderdale said in a news release on Wednesday evening. “Public Works staff are clearing drains and operating pumps to mitigate the water as quickly as possible. Efforts have been made to relieve traffic congestion through prioritized signaling to assist individuals leaving the City. We are requesting drivers to stay off the roads and avoid the City of Fort Lauderdale until the water has subsided.”

The flooding impacted rush hour traffic Wednesday and led to the closure of a tunnel, the city said.

“The Henry E. Kinney Tunnel is closed. Please avoid the area. The weather conditions combined with rush hour traffic are compounding issues in the downtown area,” the city said.

The Broward Sheriff's Office said in a statement Wednesday it is “being inundated with non-emergency 911 calls regarding the inclement weather” and asks residents to use 911 only for “true emergencies,” also telling residents to avoid driving and to call a tow truck company if a vehicle is stranded and not in an emergency.

Some local services are shuttering Thursday. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is closed due to ongoing flooding in the vicinity and will reopen at noon, according to an update from the airport. The airport’s departure level reopened to allow people to exit the area, the airport said early Thursday morning.

The Brightline train service has been temporarily suspended between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the service said on social media.

Additionally, Broward County Public Schools announced the district will close Thursday.

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