FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Drivers were stuck in cars, travelers were stranded at the airport, streets were impassable, school and court were canceled and a man was spotted swimming through a downtown Fort Lauderdale street as South Florida started to emerge from what one city is calling a 50-year rain event.
More than 20 inches of rain poured down on Fort Lauderdale in just six hours Wednesday, and more is possible, the National Weather Service Miami said. A flash flood emergency was extended to at least noon Thursday for Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Hollywood, Dania Beach and Sunrise, a “life-threatening situation” in which people should seek higher ground.
Because of the extreme weather, Broward schools canceled classes and after-school activities on Thursday. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport closed about 5 p.m. and plans to stay closed until at least noon Thursday.
