MIAMI.- Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis signed a local emergency proclamation due to the effect of the rains on the city, which was affected by flooding.
The local emergency declaration comes as operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport remained paralyzed this morning and a National Weather Service flood advisory is in effect until 12:00 p.m.
In the past few hours, cumulative rainfall of 16 to 20 inches has been reported in parts of the city.
Flood conditions remain severe in southern regions this morning.
Emergency management teams are working continuously to respond to rescue calls and the rains are forecast to continue this afternoon.
The Red Cross arrived at 5 a.m. to assist at an affected care site near Winn Dixie at SR 84 and 9th Avenue.Those affected by the flooding were brought to this staging area and given blankets and Coffee. This location also serves as a gathering point for affected families.
City Hall remains closed due to flooding that has affected facilities.
With the proclamation of the emergency, it is expected to have more resources to care for residents and activate more teams to go to flooded areas.
The call for residents is to stay in homes if they are in safe areas and not to cross flooded streets. Classes throughout Broward County, where Fort Lauderdale is located, have been suspended.
Some traffic lights went out due to the storm, which complicated traffic on this rainy day and for residents of certain sectors, the flow of electricity was interrupted.
The city of Fort Lauderdale has declared an emergency due to the effects of the rains.
Fort Lauderdale firefighters have been warning since Wednesday that the city is ‘experienced severe flooding in several areas of the city’, so they are urging people to ‘stay off the roads and stay home unless in absolute need”.
Authorities warn that the flying debris could be dangerous for homeless people. Mobile homes could have damaged or destroyed roofs, windows and vehicles.