South Florida has been under emergency declarations due to record “life-threatening” flooding and is expected to be hit by a new storm on Thursday, forecasters said.
Dangerously heavy rainfall of 4 to 8 inches accompanied by thunderstorms is expected through the afternoon, with up to 10 inches expected in some areas. National Weather Service.
The severe weather came after “catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding” had already turned roads into waist-high rivers, stranding drivers and prompting dozens of rescues on Wednesday.
The weather service on Thursday issued a heavy rainfall watch, the most urgent flood warning, for parts of South Florida, including Miami.
“Don’t be fooled by the sun peeking out from behind the clouds,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levin Cava warned at a press conference Wednesday night. “Stay home and indoors if you can.”
Over the past two days, parts of Miami-Dade County have seen rainfall totals reach 20 inches, with the heaviest rainfall occurring between 5pm and 8pm on Wednesday.
A record four inches of rain fell in one hour in Sarasota.
“That’s the highest record in one hour.” David Parkinson says:Senior Weather Producer for CBS.
Emergency responders rescued at least 34 people trapped in cars and homes by floodwaters. USA Today reported.
The storm also threatens to derail the U.S. team’s advancement to the Super Eight round of the T-20 Cricket World Cup.
The U.S. is scheduled to face Ireland on Friday morning in Broward County, South Florida, and will need to win to secure a historic berth in the next round.
