After storms poured more than a foot of rain on certain regions of South Florida, the National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency for Broward County, Florida.
Later, a flood warning that lasted into Thursday morning took the place of the emergency.
The NWS issued a warning early on Thursday: "Many roads remain closed even though the rain has stopped." Please follow any directions from local authorities, and heed any warnings about closed roads.
For the most of Wednesday afternoon and evening, thunderstorms in and near Fort Lauderdale caused torrential rain.
On Thursday, all Broward County public schools are closed.
Significant flooding occurred at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and it was anticipated that it would stay closed until at least midday on Thursday. Around three in the morning on Thursday, the airport's upper-level departures highway reopened to allow travelers to pick up delayed relatives and friends. The arrivals road on the lower levels is still blocked.
An estimated 14 inches of rain fell in some Broward County neighborhoods close to the airport on Wednesday.
According to the NWS, "life-threatening flash flooding" might occur in urban areas, low water crossings, small creeks and streams, roads, streets, and underpasses.
The Fort Lauderdale Fire Department issued a warning to motorists to avoid the route.
