BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Severe weather in Broward County brought torrential downpours and flooding to Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas Wednesday, leading to traffic disruptions and stalled vehicles.
A flood advisory is in effect for parts of Broward County after heavy rain drenched the area Wednesday morning, creating hazardous conditions for drivers and residents.
One of the hardest-hit streets in Fort Lauderdale was Commercial Boulevard, where both eastbound and westbound lanes were submerged.
Surveillance footage from a Mobil gas station at Northeast 26th Avenue and Commercial Boulevard showed floodwaters rising quickly.
The gas station parking lot, slightly elevated, became a refuge for drivers trying to avoid the rising waters.
At the scene, police officers were managing traffic while tow trucks worked to remove stalled cars.
Local 10′s Sanela Sabovic spoke with the owner of the gas station who said the water rose as high as her car door.
“At one point, you couldn’t see the curb,” she said. “The water covered the entire area from my side to the bank side.”
Traffic along Interstate 95 also came to a standstill near Sunrise Boulevard, where drivers had to navigate through heavy rain and reduced visibility.
Flooding wasn’t limited to commercial areas. Residents near Holy Cross Hospital on 40th Street were facing similar issues, with roadways looking more like rivers than streets.
By the time Sabovic returned to the area near Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, conditions had improved. The floodwaters had receded, and the roadways had reopened. Tow trucks continued to clear vehicles from the streets.
Residents in the Riverland Village neighborhood say flooding has become a persistent problem on their streets and properties every time it rains, and they are calling on city officials to address the issue.
Yonalt James shared cellphone video with Local 10 News capturing frequent flooding in the neighborhood along 31st Avenue and 14th Street. The footage shows water covering the entire street and encroaching on nearby homes.
“Every time it rains, it’s the same story,” James said.
James also said neighbors have repeatedly emailed Fort Lauderdale officials for help, but no action has been taken so far.
Businesses flooded
Persistent flooding on Northeast Sixth Avenue has also left businesses and residents in Oakland Park grappling with stagnant water, even as surrounding residential streets begin to dry.
Noon report:
The area, a bustling business district, remains submerged, causing concern for shop owners and commuters. Residents say the problem is longstanding.
“This whole area flooded within minutes,” an Oakland Park homeowner said. “It’s been going on for years, and the water keeps getting pushed through the neighborhoods.”
Video from Sky 10 on Wednesday morning showed stranded vehicles, with one man climbing onto the roof of his car to escape rising water.
Despite signs of receding water in nearby neighborhoods, Northeast Sixth Avenue remained impassable as of Wednesday afternoon. Business owners are monitoring conditions, worried that continued rainfall could worsen the situation.
“It’s still such a mess,” another Oakland Park resident said, who expressed relief that her home remained dry.
Officials are urging residents and business owners to remain vigilant as rain remains in the forecast.
Streets in Pompano Beach, including areas near Riverside Drive and A1A, were inundated with water Wednesday morning after a sudden downpour overwhelmed roadways.
Team coverage at noon:
Flooding near the Hillsboro Inlet forced drivers to abandon plans to navigate the area, with several vehicles stalling in water that reached several inches deep.
“We couldn’t even make it through on A1A,” said Local 10′s Saira Anwer, who reported near the flooded streets of Barton Road. “The water rose quickly and made parts of the road completely impassable.”
Video shared by residents and reporters showed vehicles attempting to traverse flooded streets, with officials advising against such actions due to the risk of stalling.
Homeowners in the area expressed relief that the floodwaters receded before reaching their homes.
“We were worried for a bit,” said one resident. “But thankfully, the water didn’t get inside.”
The floodwaters began to recede quickly in some areas, but officials warned drivers to remain cautious as wet conditions persist.
For the hour-by-hour forecast and live radar, visit this page.