State of Emergency in South Florida Due to Severe Weather

A tropical disturbance has caused a rare flash flood emergency across much of southern Florida, with residents bracing for more heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday.

On Wednesday, torrential downpours and subsequent flooding blocked roads, stranded vehicles, and delayed the Florida Panthers en route to their Stanley Cup games in Canada against the Edmonton Oilers.

The storm system, disorganized and moving from the Gulf of Mexico, coincides with the early June start of the hurricane season, forecasted to be one of the most active in recent years due to concerns about climate change increasing storm intensity. While the disturbance hasn't reached cyclone status, the National Hurricane Center gives it a slight chance of developing into a tropical system once it moves into the Atlantic Ocean after crossing Florida.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Miami warned on Thursday morning that heavy rainfall was expected for a third consecutive day. They cautioned that even a short duration of intense rain could lead to further flash flooding. Many roads remained flooded and impassable, including a section of southbound Interstate 95 in Broward County. The Florida Highway Patrol indicated that contractors were being sent to pump the drainage system, and the interstate would remain closed until the water is drained.

The NWS issued increasingly urgent warnings, stating, "Life-threatening flooding is now ongoing. Please stay off the roadways and get to higher ground."

In response, mayors in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood declared states of emergency on Wednesday afternoon. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also declared a state of emergency for five counties: Broward, Miami-Dade, Collier, Lee, and Sarasota. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava issued a local state of emergency as well.

Residents shared their harrowing experiences with the flooding. In Hollywood, Mike Viesel and his dog were trapped in floodwaters when his car stalled. Alfredo Rodriguez in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood reported his building flooding for the fifth time since he moved in a year ago, making it impossible for him to move his car due to the submerged streets.

The severe weather has also affected travel. Numerous flights were delayed or canceled at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The Florida Panthers experienced a three-hour delay for their flight to Edmonton for the Stanley Cup Final games.

Further north, an EF-1 tornado was confirmed by the NWS in Melbourne, hitting Hobe Sound on Florida's Atlantic Coast. The tornado caused significant damage, including downed banyan trees and debris blocking access to Jupiter Island, though no injuries were reported.

The past week has been particularly wet and windy for Florida. Miami recorded about 6 inches of rain on Tuesday and 7 inches in Miami Beach. Hollywood received around 5 inches. Brian McNoldy from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School reported on social media that parts of South Florida saw about 9 inches of rain from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday alone, prompting him to declare, "We are in trouble."

The NWS extended a flash flood watch through Thursday, with forecasts predicting an additional 6 inches of rain in some areas. The western part of the state, which has been experiencing a prolonged drought, also received significant rainfall, with nearly 6.5 inches falling at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport on Tuesday.

This severe weather is part of a predicted above-average hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates an 85% chance that the Atlantic hurricane season will be busier than normal, forecasting between 17 and 25 named storms, including up to 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes. An average season typically has 14 named storms