Torrential Storms Batter South Florida, Close Key Airport
. A storm is causing heavy showers, winds, and thunderstorms in South Florida, which has closed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (AP) -- On Wednesday, a torrential storm brought heavy rains and gusty winds to South Florida. It caused the closure of Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport and the suspension or service of commuter rail high-speed in the area.
Local media outlets reported that Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood were under a flash flood warning. Nearly a foot (30 cm) of rain fell within hours.
Wednesday night, Fort Lauderdale issued a statement urging residents and tourists to avoid the roads until the water recedes.
According to the statement, 'Police and Fire Rescue continue answering calls for service.' Public Works staff are operating pumps and clearing drains to reduce the water as fast as possible.
The airport tweeted at 4:15 p.m. that Wednesday's torrential showers caused it to suspend all flights arriving and departing.
The airport announced that it had shut down its ground transportation shuttle service at 5 p.m. in response to ongoing severe weather and repeated tornado warnings.
The main roads entering and leaving the airport were impassable and flooded.
It warned that you should not try to get into or out of the airport at this moment.
According to the airport, operations will resume once the weather is better in Fort Lauderdale.
South Florida's commuter rail service, which runs at high speeds, was also affected by the heavy rains. Brightline announced Wednesday evening via Twitter that the train service between Miami-Fort Lauderdale had been suspended.
Around 8 p.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Miami declared an emergency flash flood for Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas. Soon after, forecasters issued a tornado alert for nearby Davie and Plantation.
The service also issued an emergency flash flood warning for Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas, at 11:01 EDT. Warning: This is a life-threatening condition.
Witnesses captured video of water entering an airport terminal door and then rushing down the asphalt between the planes.
Broward Boulevard was flooded and a man was seen swimming up to the curb by cars passing.