South Florida is grappling with a state of emergency following a series of intense rainfalls that have unleashed over a foot of rain across the region, creating chaotic scenes reminiscent of a “zombie movie.” Continuous rainfall has led to widespread flooding, with cars abandoned in the streets, and sidewalks cluttered with debris. Ted Rico, a Miami-based tow truck driver, described the situation as increasingly severe with each passing year.
AP
7 COUNTIES IN SOUTH FLORIDA ARE NOW IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND COMPLETELY UNDER WATER AS NIGHT FALL HITS.
RUSSIAN WARSHIPS AND NUCLEAR POWER SUBMARINE SIT 66 MILES FROM THE NOW SUNKEN FLORIDA COAST.
AND ALSO
Huge wild fires are currently raging in Reno, Nevada… pic.twitter.com/aCNAWfPiHw
— VAL THOR (@CMDRVALTHOR) June 13, 2024
This week, the National Weather Service issued a rare “high risk” warning for excessive rainfall, emphasizing the heightened potential for flash floods due to saturated soils. Although the risk level was lowered to moderate by Friday, the threat of significant flooding remains, with the weather service predicting continued “considerable to locally catastrophic urban flooding” throughout the day.
By Friday, some areas had already recorded nearly 20 inches of rain, and forecasters anticipated an additional 2 to 4 inches, possibly more in certain locations. Despite June typically being Florida’s wettest month, the volume of rain in such a short period is considered unusual, according to hurricane forecaster Alex DaSilva.
Florida man strikes again…
As South Florida gets pummeled with torrential rain, causing "life-threatening flooding" and prompting dire warnings from the weather service, this man was captured making the most of it all.
MORE: https://t.co/JcX2iA1K9c pic.twitter.com/dUmPH5se4d
— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) June 13, 2024
The current weather conditions are attributed to two weather systems that are funneling moisture from the Caribbean, described by DaSilva as a “fire hose on jet mode.” These systems, combined with a stalled front over Florida, have significantly enhanced the precipitation.
Was great to see Governor DeSantis this morning as he toured the South Florida flood zone! pic.twitter.com/4DKeMj6q1s
— Chris Nelson 🇺🇸 🏝 (@ReOpenChris) June 14, 2024
These unprecedented weather events coincide with the start of an “extremely active” Atlantic hurricane season. Predictions for the season include up to 25 named storms, with as many as 13 escalating into hurricanes, and between four and seven reaching major hurricane status. This forecast underlines the potential for significant meteorological challenges, emphasizing that even less severe storms can still have substantial impacts due to factors like flooding and storm surge, which are not reflected in the hurricane category ratings based solely on wind speed.
Major Points
- South Florida is under a state of emergency after receiving over a foot of rain, leading to widespread flooding and scenes described as resembling a “zombie movie.”
- The National Weather Service issued a rare “high risk” warning for excessive rainfall, indicating potential for flash floods due to saturated ground.
- Despite a slight downgrade in the warning level, continued rain poses a risk of “considerable to locally catastrophic urban flooding” across the region.
- Some areas have recorded nearly 20 inches of rain, with additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches expected, driven by two weather systems channeling moisture from the Caribbean.
- The severe weather arrives at the beginning of an anticipated “extremely active” Atlantic hurricane season, predicting up to 25 named storms and multiple major hurricanes.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News