Aerial images showcase the aftermath of a recent tropical storm that hit South Florida, causing widespread flooding affecting millions.
Heavy rains and strong winds on Wednesday and Thursday led to severe flooding, power outages, closed roads, and canceled flights.
The rain continues to pour, with the National Weather Service warning of scattered thunderstorms bringing up to 3 inches of more rainfall.
While the situation may not be as dire as before, there is still a potential threat of rip-currents and hazardous winds along central Florida beaches. The storm focus is now on the Florida Keys with inclement weather expected to persist into the weekend.
Residents are urged to be cautious as heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding and dangerous debris in standing water. The importance of Florida’s new flood laws in addressing extreme weather challenges is stressed by the Environmental Defense Fund.
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a law requiring home sellers to disclose flood risk information during property sales, aiming to inform buyers about potential risks and damages. The law, effective from October 1, 2024, seeks to address the predicted high flood-risk areas in Florida within the next 30 years.
Days of Deluge
Video footage circulating on social media depicts the havoc caused by the recent tropical disturbance, which triggered an emergency flash flood in Southern Florida with up to eighteen inches of rainfall.
Hadi indicated a connection between this storm and another system tracked in the Gulf, now moving towards the Atlantic Ocean, causing significant flooding across multiple areas. Streets turned into waterways, prompting many to abandon their vehicles.
The National Weather Service Miami office highlighted “life-threatening” flooding in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, prompting emergency declarations in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Aventura.
State of emergency declarations were made by DeSantis for Broward, Miami-Dade, Collier, Lee, and Sarasota counties, with Interstate 95 closures. Images of people water-skiing in flooded streets depict the severity of the situation.