June 2024 South Florida floods

From June 11 through June 14, 2024, heavy rainfall lead to flooding across South Florida caused by a trough of low pressure over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The rainfall broke several records across the region. Due to a possibility that the system could develop into a tropical cyclone, the National Hurricane Center designated it Invest 90L.

June 2024 South Florida floods
Invest 90L shortly before it made landfall in Florida on June 11
CauseTropical wave
Meteorological history
DurationJune 11–14, 2024
Flood
Maximum rainfall27.95 in (710 mm) in Big Cypress National Preserve[1]
Overall effects
Damage>$100 million[2]
Areas affectedSouth Florida

Meteorological history

edit

On June 11, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring a trough of low pressure over the Eastern Gulf of Mexico that was expected to produce heavy rainfall over the state of Florida.[3] Later that day, it was designated as Invest 90L, allowing for greater monitoring of the system.[4][5] The invest then moved over Florida.[6] On June 13, the low pressure moved off the Eastern Florida coast.[7] By June 15, the system had merged with a frontal boundary.[8]

Preparations

edit

Prior to the rainfall, Western Florida was experiencing a drought.[9]

Several counties had states-of-emergencies declared for them by Governor Ron DeSantis[10] along with Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami-Dade County by their own leaders.[11] The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency.[12] Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach opened sites to distribute sandbags.[13] Over 100 pumps were set up on June 10.[14]

The northwest of The Bahamas was placed under flood watch from June 12 to June 14.[15]

Impacts

edit

Multiple cities recorded over 15 in (380 mm) of rain from the system.[11][16] Fort Lauderdale received the average monthly amount of rain for June in 24 hours on June 12,[17] the wettest day in the city recorded in June.[18] Throughout the whole event, Fort Lauderdale received over 20 in (510 mm) of rain.[14] From June 12 to June 15, Big Cypress National Preserve received just under 28 in (710 mm) of rain.[19] Northeast Miami-Dade County received over 22 in (560 mm).[14] On June 12, various places in Sarasota County, just south of Tampa Bay, recorded 24 hour rainfall totals of 6–10 in (150–250 mm).[20] Rainfall of this magnitude can be expected to hit this area once every 500 to 1000 years.[21] Farther south, Fort Myers recorded 5.44 in (138 mm) of rain, the most recorded there in a 24 hour span.[22]

The South Florida Water Management District set up five temporary pumps in Miami Beach and along the Miami River.[23]

Interstate 95 southbound in Broward County had to be rerouted to avoid a flooded section of the route.[11][21] Hundreds of flights were cancelled and delayed across South Florida. Flights were delayed on average seven hours according to the FAA.[12] Half of the flights at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport were delayed or cancelled.[9] The Florida East Coast Railway, which is used by Brightline, in between Aventura and Miami was flooded.[12]

An EF1 tornado touched down at Hobe Sound in Martin County on June 12. Numerous trees along its path were toppled.[24]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Dolan, Deirdre; Blanco-Alcala, Noah (June 15, 2024). "Storm Summary Number 4 for South Florida Heavy Rain". Iowa Environmental Mesonet (Press release). Weather Prediction Center, College Park, Maryland: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "Insured Losses from Recent South Florida Floods Reaching into the Millions". Insurance Journal. June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Cangialosi, John; Kelly, Larry (June 13, 2024). "Two-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Barker, Aaron (June 11, 2024). "The Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather: Tracking Invest 90L as it drenches Florida". FOX Weather. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  5. ^ Kegges, Jonathan (June 12, 2024). "National Hurricane Center designates first invest of 2024 season. Here's what that means". WKMG. Orlando, Florida. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Julmisse, Yasmine (June 13, 2024). "New disturbance forms in the Gulf as Invest 90-L moves over South Florida". WPBF. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  7. ^ Kremposky, Averi (June 13, 2024). "Tropics: Invest 90-L moves off Florida coast, formation chance in Gulf of Mexico increases". WESH. Orlando, Florida. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  8. ^ Reinhart, Brad (June 15, 2024). "Two-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Miami, Florida. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Frisaro, Freida; Spencer, Terry; Kozin, Daniel (June 13, 2024). "Tropical rainstorms in South Florida lead to flight delays and streets jammed with stalled cars". AP News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Deliso, Meredith; Griffin, Melissa; Golembo, Max (June 13, 2024). "DeSantis declares state of emergency as more than 25 inches of rain slam South Florida". ABC News. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Anderson, Curt; Frisaro, Freida (June 13, 2024). "After rare flash flood emergency, Florida prepares for more heavy rainfall in coming days". AP News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c Huriash, Lisa J.; Moolten, Shira; Bryan, Susannah; Lyons, David; Ballard, Victoria (June 12, 2024). "'Life-threatening' flash flooding and heavy rain batter South Florida again". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  13. ^ Cann, Christopher (June 14, 2024). "South Florida under flood watch ahead of more rain; storms cause delays in the Northeast". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Milberg, Glenna; Andrea, Torres (June 16, 2024). "Emergency management directors talk about recent flooding in South Florida". WPLG. Pembroke Park, Florida. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "Northwest Bahamas under flood watch, excessive rain expected". Eye Witness News. June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  16. ^ Trujillo, Briana; Phillips, Ryan (June 13, 2024). "Closures, travel impacts: Flood risk continues after more than a foot of rain soaks parts of South Florida". NBC 6 South Florida. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  17. ^ Wolfe, Elizabeth; Shackelford, Robert; Gilbert, Mary; Galgano, Taylor (June 13, 2024). "'Catastrophic flash flooding possible' with a lot more rain incoming to still-flooded South Florida". CNN. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  18. ^ Cappucci, Matthew (June 13, 2024). "How much rain fell in Florida? Is there more coming?". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  19. ^ Marchante, Michelle; Harris, Alex (June 15, 2024). "How many homes and cars were damaged by the floods in South Florida? Take a look". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  20. ^ Czachor, Emily Mae (June 14, 2024). "Maps and photos show massive rainfall in Florida as flooded communities face ongoing downpours". CBS News. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Wile, Rob; Hamacher, Brian; Helsel, Phil; Smith, Patrick; Li, Daniel K. (June 13, 2024). "South Florida residents told to steer clear of 'life-threatening' flooding". NBC News. Miami, Florida. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  22. ^ Czachor, Emily Mae (June 14, 2024). "Maps and photos show massive rainfall in Florida as flooded communities face ongoing downpours". CBS News. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  23. ^ Harris, Alex; Claire, Grunwood; Hanks, Douglas; Habersham, Raisa (June 14, 2024). "'It needs to stop': Another night of rain could tip South Florida neighborhoods over the edge". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  24. ^ Papaycik, Matt (June 20, 2024). "A week after punishing EF1 tornado hit Hobe Sound, here's how repairs are coming". West Palm Beach, Florida: WPTV-TV. Retrieved June 20, 2024.