Flood watch issued for Broward, Miami-Dade counties

Flooding leaves vehicles stranded at Sawgrass Mills

WEST PARK, Fla. – A flood watch was issued Tuesday for coastal and inland Broward County and for coastal, inland and metropolitan Miami-Dade County.

The flood watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday. 

Some areas that are expected to experience heavy flooding in Broward County include Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Coral Springs, Davie, Sunrise, Hollywood and Plantation. 

Weather officials report that 3 to 5 inches of rain has fallen in the area with an additional 1 to 2 inches of rainfall expected in the area. 

The flooding in Sunrise was a headache for people like Helen Rodriguez, whose vehicle was stuck in the parking lot at Sawgrass Mills.

"Horrible. I was 30 minutes late," she said.

Rodriguez's car was surrounded by yellow tape that mall management put up Tuesday afternoon, indicating that it's too dangerous to park in the area.

A white car in the parking lot was almost swallowed up by a sinkhole.

Rodriguez said she parked her car before the weather got bad.

"I don't know how to get to my car," she said.

"Either way, the water was like half way up my car on both sides," a man, identified only as Javier, said.

The first floor of a parking garage at the mall was also underwater.

Shoppers were forced to ditch their shoes and wade through the water just to get to their cars.

A Local 10 News viewer sent in cellphone video of a body of water near a residential community that was on the brink of overflowing.

Meanwhile in Plantation, drivers used extreme caution because of puddling and nonstop rain.

But no sight was more jaw dropping in South Florida than what customers were seeing at the Sawgrass Mills mall.

"Have you ever seen it like this?" Local 10 News reporter Terrell Forney asked Rodriguez.

"No, that's why I hate living in Florida," Rodriguez said.

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles said stormy weather knocked down power lines at 5720 SW 40th Court in West Park. 

Jachles said even cats were looking for a dry place to hide Tuesday morning as firefighters rescued a cat that was stuck under the hood of a Toyota RAV4 in the 2000 block of Southwest 41st Avenue. 

Several weather-related crashes were also reported Tuesday.

Lauderhill Fire Department officials posted a photo on Twitter of a single-vehicle rollover in the 3400 block of Inverrary Boulevard that they said was caused by the wet roads.

Authorities said one person suffered minor injuries in the crash. 

The rough weather comes a day after an EF-0 tornado touched down at Sheridan Street and Flamingo Road, the National Weather Service said on Tuesday. 

The NWS had issued a tornado warning and severe thunderstorm warning Monday night for southeastern Broward County. 

Rainy weather was also reported Tuesday in Miami-Dade County. 

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory until 12:45 p.m. for southern Collier County and northern mainland Monroe County.


Drivers are urged to turn around if they approach an area with heavy flooding.

Weather officials said most flood deaths occur in vehicles. 

Meanwhile, Miami-Dade Aviation Department spokesman Marc Henderson said there were 37 delays and five cancelations due to weather at Miami International Airport as of 3 p.m. Tuesday. 

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport reported 11 cancelations and 298 delays by Tuesday afternoon. 

More storms are expected in South Florida for the rest of the week.

Be sure to download the WPLG Local 10 Weather app to receive the latest and most accurate information about severe weather where you live and work. You can find it by searching "WPLG Local 10 Weather" in your iTunes or Google Play app stores.


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Terrell Forney joined Local 10 News in October 2005 as a general assignment reporter. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, but a desire to escape the harsh winters of the north brought him to South Florida.