MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – South Florida woke up to a soggy start Monday as strong storms and heavy rainfall flooded roadways, grounded flights and knocked out power to thousands, but forecasters say the worst may be over — for now.
A flood watch that had been in effect for Miami-Dade and Broward counties through late Monday morning was lifted shortly before noon as the heaviest rain moved offshore.
Still, Local 10 meteorologists warn that more storms could roll through later in the day and again Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service issued thunderstorm and flood advisory warnings just before 6 a.m., as bands of intense rainfall moved across the region, especially targeting southern Miami-Dade near Homestead, Redland and areas west of U.S. 1. A thunderstorm warning was in effect until at least 6:15 a.m.
Local 10 meteorologist Julie Durda said the threat of severe weather will persist throughout the day, with a marginal risk for more strong storms. The flood watch in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties and lasted until 10:15 a.m. Monday.
9 a.m. report:
Local 10 meteorologist Brantly Scott said that more than three inches of rain fell in Pembroke Pines and over four inches were recorded in parts of Miami by midday Monday.
He said Homestead saw nearly two inches and the Florida Keys picked up between one and two inches. Some isolated pockets could receive another two to three inches, with higher totals possible in low-lying coastal areas.
Durda said wind gusts near Homestead General Aviation Airport topped 60 mph, and severe thunderstorms prompted brief warnings earlier in the day.
Heavy rain caused substantial street flooding Monday morning in parts of Miami Gardens, particularly near North Miami Avenue just off Ives Dairy Road.
Steady rain and stormy conditions rolled into Hollywood and much of South Florida on Monday morning, prompting concerns about flooding, strong wind gusts and hazardous driving conditions.
Local 10’s Hannah Yechivi reported live from Hollywood, where rain began picking up just before sunrise. Meteorologists say the region could see up to 6 inches of rain throughout the day, increasing the risk of street flooding, especially in low-lying areas prone to water accumulation.
A Local 10 News crew spotted a significant water buildup at the intersection of Northeast 183rd Street and North Miami Avenue.
To help mitigate flood-related vehicle damage, the city of Hollywood is offering free parking in all four of its municipal garages through Tuesday morning.
Miami Beach is also providing free parking at city-owned garages for residents concerned about rising water levels.
As of 11:45 a.m., Florida Power & Light reported more than 2,600 outages across the region, with 1,636 customers affected in Broward County and 1,020 in Miami-Dade.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport also experienced disruptions Monday. As of late morning, the airport reported 98 delays and eight cancellations, with all delays occurring within, into or out of the United States.
Authorities are urging drivers to use caution, avoid flooded roads and stay informed as weather conditions evolve.
Temperatures remained in the 70s with high humidity on Monday, and meteorologists expect drier weather by late Tuesday afternoon. After that, a calmer pattern should set in for the rest of the week.
Despite the hazards, the rainfall could bring some relief to drought-stricken areas of South Florida, where recent brush fires have plagued parts of the Florida Keys.
For the hour-by-hour forecast and a live radar, visit this page.
6 a.m. report:
