Map Shows Where Floridians Told Not to Drive Amid Life-Threatening Warning

The National Weather Service (NWS) warns South Florida residents of “life-threatening flooding” on roadways as heavy rains pummel the region.

Flood warnings have been in effect in the Miami area since Tuesday, when about 6 inches of rainfall taxed drainage systems to a breaking point and flooded streets in multiple areas. The deluge continued on Wednesday, with nearly 6 inches of additional rain pounding the area in only a few hours.

NWS Miami warned residents to “stay off the streets” on Wednesday afternoon due to a “flash flood emergency” until 5:30 p.m. The service also shared a map showing the locations of “significant to extreme” flash flooding, with the most at-risk area appearing to extend from Miami to Fort Lauderdale.

The Context

NWS placed all of South Florida under a flood watch earlier this week due to moisture from the Caribbean delivering excessive rain to the region. Forecasts predicted 10 inches of rainfall or more in several areas by Friday.

Flooding occurred in multiple quadrants on Tuesday, with the downpour spiraling into a an emergency by Wednesday as water continued to accumulate on roadways.

“This just came in from Hallandale Beach, cars are now *floating* in the flood waters,” NWS Miami wrote while sharing video of a partially submerged car on Wednesday afternoon to X, formerly Twitter. “Life-threatening flash flooding ongoing. STAY OFF THE ROADWAYS! TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN.”

What We Know

“***Life-threatening flooding*** is becoming increasingly possible as heavy rainfall continues to fall in already flooded areas,” NWS Miami added, while sharing the map on X, formerly Twitter. “DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS.”

The map shows an area of “extreme flash flooding” from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, while noting that “the greatest threat is across urban Broward and Miami-Dade counties.” Locals were urged to “remain in a safe place until flood waters recede.”

NWS Miami said the flooding was “now occurring with numerous non-stop reports coming in” in a subsequent post, pointing out that there were “SIX Flash Flood Warnings across South Florida” and urging residents to “seek higher ground” and “get off the roads.”

Authorities shut down portions of southbound Interstate 95 in Broward County due to the flooding just before rush hour, according to The Palm Beach Post.

The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport urged motorists to “exercise caution on the airport’s terminal roadways” in an X post, while noting that multiple flights had been canceled or delayed.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.