Officials are urging residents in Broward and Miami-Dade counties to stay off the roads due to life-threatening flooding on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency for parts of southeast Broward and northwest Miami-Dade counties until 8 p.m., which indicates an even more serious situation than a flash flood warning.
“This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION,” the weather service wrote. “SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.”
Several major roads such as Broward Boulevard and Federal Highway are already flooded while others remain increasingly vulnerable to flash flooding. Affected areas include Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, Davie, Hallandale, Miami Gardens, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Aventura, Dania Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, Opa-Locka, West Park, Ojus, Hard Rock Stadium, Oak Point, Miramar Parkway And University Drive, Estates Of Fort Lauderdale and Chambers Estates.
Residents should stay off the roads until the flooding subsides Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said in an announcement on X. If residents must drive and end up stranded, they should call a tow truck company, not 911.
As of 4:15 p.m., another round of severe weather was crossing the Everglades and approaching the southeastern coast, which will add to the threat.