DeSantis declares state of emergency as more than 25 inches of rain slam South Florida

A flood watch is in effect until Friday evening from Miami to West Palm Beach.

June 13, 2024, 2:08 PM

Over 2 feet of torrential rain is inundating South Florida, flooding neighborhoods, canceling flights, shutting down roads and forcing residents to evacuate their homes.

Rain totals have reached 25 inches in Collier County, 20 inches in North Miami, 19 inches in Hollywood, 13 inches in Miami Beach and 12 inches at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

PHOTO: A person uses a kayak to float through a flooded street, June 12, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla.
A person uses a kayak to float through a flooded street, June 12, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
PHOTO: A person walks through a flooded street, June 12, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla.
A person walks through a flooded street, June 12, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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

In Broward County, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said high-water vehicles have been deployed throughout the city to respond as needed, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission will be sending boats and buggies, but urged people to stay off the roads if possible.

PHOTO: A person walks through a flooded street, June 12, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla.
A person walks through a flooded street, June 12, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
PHOTO: Members of the City of Hollywood SWAT team look for people who may need help being evacuated from a flooded area, June 12, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla.
Members of the City of Hollywood SWAT team look for people who may need help being evacuated from a flooded area, June 12, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
PHOTO: A person walks through a flooded street, June 12, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla.
A person walks through a flooded street, June 12, 2024, in Hollywood, Fla.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The threat for life-threatening flooding continues on Thursday, with an additional 4 to 8 inches of rainfall possible.

A flood watch will last through Thursday evening for Fort Myers, Naples and Sarasota.

Even more rain is on the way on Friday. A flood watch is in effect until Friday evening from Miami to West Palm Beach.

PHOTO: Stalled vehicles sit in a flooded street in Aventura, FL, June 12, 2024.
Stalled vehicles sit in a flooded street in Aventura, FL, June 12, 2024.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
PHOTO: People walk through a flooded street in Hallandale Beach, FL, June 12, 2024,
People walk through a flooded street in Hallandale Beach, FL, June 12, 2024,
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
PHOTO: A screengrab from a video posted to X shows rain in Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 12, 2024.
A screengrab from a video posted to X shows rain in Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 12, 2024.
Lily Funds/X

Related Topics