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(CNN) Heavy rains hit Fort Lauderdale and parts of South Florida Wednesday night, the worst rainfall in half a century, and flash flooding in Broward County, with one mayor calling the flooding “the worst flood I’ve ever experienced.” We call it the most severe flood. I have seen ”
Expect about 10 to 14 inches of rain on Wednesday, with an additional 2 to 4 inches likely as severe thunderstorms continue to slowly move through the area.
The Fort Lauderdale Fire Department said on social media that “multiple areas of the city are experiencing severe flooding,” warning vehicles to stay off roads as they could become stranded or submerged. bottom.
A flash flood emergency, the highest level of flood warning, has been issued for parts of South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale. National Weather Service (NWS) Wednesday night in Miami.
“This is a particularly dangerous situation,” the NWS warned. “Move to higher ground now. This is a very dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to move unless you are fleeing a flooded or evacuated area.”
“City officials are doing the best they can,” Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy told CNN.
“More than 12 inches of rain has been recorded since midnight, in addition to seemingly non-stop rain on consecutive days,” Levy said. “The ground is already saturated and we are experiencing massive flooding across our city and across South Florida. Many roads are impassable. Many vehicles are stranded and left in the middle of the road. I’m here.
“I have lived here all my life. This is the most severe flooding I have ever seen,” he said.
Authorities have asked residents to avoid driving or traveling in Fort Lauderdale tonight.
“Police and fire services continue to respond to requests for service.” city of fort lauderdale said in a news release Wednesday night. “Public works staff are cleaning drains and operating pumps to relieve water as quickly as possible. To help individuals leaving the city, priority signals are used to ease traffic congestion. Efforts have been made: We are requiring drivers to stay off the road and out of the city.
Flooding affected rush hour traffic and led to tunnel closures, the city said.
“The Henry E. Kinney Tunnel is closed. Avoid this area. Weather conditions and rush hour traffic combine to compound issues in the downtown area,” the city said.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Wednesday that it was “inundated with non-emergency 911 calls regarding severe weather”, asking residents to use 911 only in “genuine emergencies” and discouraging drivers from driving. He called on residents to avoid and call a tow truck. The company if the vehicle is stranded and it is not an emergency.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is currently closed due to ongoing flooding in the neighborhood and will reopen at noon Thursday, according to the update from the airport.
According to a CNN analysis of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration precipitation statistics, total precipitation observed in and around the Fort Lauderdale area marked at least a 1-in-50-year precipitation event on Wednesday, EST Wednesday. Total precipitation as of 9:00 p.m. is 12 inches in 24 hours.
Some locations may have seen more extreme rainfall. According to the latest flash flood emergency issued by his NWS in Miami, some areas could have had up to 20 inches of rain, which he said is equivalent to one rainfall in at least 200 years. increase.
Tentative 24-hour total rainfall shows multiple cities and regions affected. As of Wednesday night, Fort Lauderdale had at least 11.09 inches of rain, Lauderhill had 12.21 inches, and Dania Beach had 13.92 inches.
A flash flood emergency remains in central Broward County until 2:00 AM EDT Thursday.
CNN’s Brandon Miller, Robert Shackelford, and Devon Sayers contributed to this report.
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