South Florida devastation after days of heavy rainfall seen in photos, videos as forecasters warn of possible 'catastrophic' flash flooding

Flash floods and days of rain have overwhelmed the region.

Donnavan Smoot
·Reporter
·3 min read
61

At least two people have been reported dead in South Florida this week after staggering amounts of rain fell in the region — and forecasters are warning that the storms, and with it flash flooding, aren't over.

The Florida Highway Patrol said two people died in a weather-related crash in Immokalee, about two hours west of Miami, according to CBS affiliate WINK.

The National Weather Service said that “heavy to excessive rainfall may bring considerable to locally catastrophic urban flooding through Friday across South Florida.”

Meteorologists with the Weather Prediction Center are forecasting between another 3 and 5 inches of rain on Friday, and a flood watch is in effect through Friday evening.

However, Sammy Hadi, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Miami, told the Associated Press, “The worst flooding risk was the last three days,” and that the “heaviest rainfall has concluded.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday declared a state of emergency for Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota counties.

Many parts of Southern Florida have already been hit with over 2 feet of rain over the last several days. Miami Shores, located in Miami-Dade County, has seen over 21 inches of rain thus far.

Hurricane season just started on the East Coast, and up to 25 named storms are forecast for the region. Although stormy weather is normal for this time of year, AccuWeather hurricane forecaster Alex DaSilva still thinks the downpour is odd.

“What is unusual is how much rain South Florida has seen in such a short period of time,” he said.

A man in a bright orange shirt walks along a flooded street of South Florida.
A man walking along a flooded street in South Florida after 24 hours of continuous rain. (Jesus Olarte/Anadolu)
A woman carrying her shoes walks barefoot through a flooded street in Miami.
A woman carrying her shoes walks barefoot through a flooded street in Miami. (Jesus Olarte/Anadolu)
Two people push a car along a flooded street on Thursday in South Florida.
Two people push a car along a flooded street on Thursday in South Florida. (Jesus Olarte/Anadolu)
Southbound traffic on I-95 on Wednesday was at a standstill past Davie Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Southbound traffic on I-95 on Wednesday was at a standstill past Davie Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
A man pushes a car on a flooded street.
A man pushes a car on a flooded street. (Jesus Olarte/Anadolu)
A woman walking through floodwaters.
A woman walking through floodwaters on Thursday. (Jesus Olarte/Anadolu)
Palm trees lining a parking lot can be seen blowing to one side in strong winds.
Insurers say they need higher premiums from Florida homeowners to offset mounting losses from hurricane claims, severe weather events and high rates of litigation. (Michael Laughlin/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
An aerial view of two people walking on a flooded street.
An aerial view of people walking on a flooded street. (Daniel Kozin/AP)
Two women react as they see flooding on their street on Thursday in North Miami, Fla.
Two women react as they see flooding on their street on Thursday in North Miami, Fla. (Marta Lavandier/AP)
A man pushing his wife in a wheelchair through floodwaters.
Victor Corone pushes his wife, Maria Diaz, in a wheelchair through more than a foot of floodwater. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald)
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