Flooding Strikes South Florida

Summary:

Severe flooding struck areas between Fort Lauderdale and Miami on Wednesday, after nearly a foot of rain fell, marking the wettest summer day on record for Fort Lauderdale since records began in 1912. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for the region, warning of “catastrophic” impacts. This event follows a similar occurrence 14 months ago when 22.5 inches of rain fell in Fort Lauderdale in a single day, both attributed to human-caused climate change.
The heavy rainfall, still ongoing, could add another half-foot or more in some areas by Friday, leaving many roadways impassable. Rainfall records were shattered, with Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport recording 9.54 inches in a day, surpassing the previous record set in 1930. Some areas saw between 12 and 16 inches of rain since Monday.
The rainfall was intense, with one station in Hollywood logging 10.22 inches in six hours, nearly a 100-year rain event. The frequency and intensity of such events are increasing due to climate change, as warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier rains. Weather models predict continued storms in South Florida with an additional 3 to 6 inches possible on Thursday. By Friday, weather conditions are expected to return to typical late-day summer storms, although there is a low chance (20%) of the system developing subtropical characteristics.