FLORIDA -. As of Friday, people were still assessing the damage to their homes from intense flooding in Broward County, as authorities and organizations such as the Red Cross provide aid to people who have been unable to return home. .
The Red Cross says it will stay in the county for anyone in need of shelter.
Many residents of Fort Lauderdale and other towns in Broward do not have flood insurance and now need to see if they can get government help. Meanwhile, those who need shelter, the Red Cross helps them.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for Broward County due to severe flooding.
The rains left hundreds of people homeless and with great material losses. We spoke to some of them who lost everything in the flood. Some were shocked to see so much destruction, especially in the 24th Avenue and Davie Boulevard area of Fort Lauderdale, where water flooded neighborhoods and people lost everything they owned.
Tania Rodríguez says that, early Thursday, several people helped family and friends whose homes were flooded after 25 inches of rain fell, affecting thousands of residents who lost everything like me. “I have 3 children, yesterday I slept on a ladder,” he says.
“What happened is that the water got into the trailers, there are people whose mattresses and beds got wet, they lost everything, looking for dry clothes to put the children on” , explained Otoniel Pérez, another resident of the neighborhood.
SHELTER ACTIVATED
The Red Cross-run shelter is located at Holiday Park located at 1150 G. Martin Drive in Fort Lauderdale.
On the spot, they receive care, food, water and other drinks, as well as a place to sleep. They also provide medical and psychological care.
UNPRECEDENTED RAINS
The Miami National Weather Service reported 25.91 inches of rain at Fort Lauderdale International Airport on Wednesday, far exceeding the previous record of 14.59 inches set in 1979.
Additionally, 18.16 inches were reported in Hollywood, 17.30 inches in Dania Beach, 15.06 inches in Plantation, and 14.58 inches in Lauderhill.
Additionally, classes in Broward will also remain suspended Friday and schools closed, after torrential rains wreaked havoc and caused at least $2 million in damage to schools in that county, according to local media.
Additionally, two tornadoes occurred in Broward on Wednesday, causing minor damage, according to the weather service.
Fort Lauderdale airport was closed until Friday.