South Florida’s weekend forecast includes thunderstorms and floods
It’s going to be a wet weekend in South Florida as thunderstorms, heavy rains and flooding came to Miami-Dade and Broward on Friday. Forecasters warned residents of the dangers of possible flooding.
While Friday was expected to see the majority of wet weather, it will creep into the coming days as well, forecasts show.
Around 7 p.m. Friday, there was significant flooding at Sawgrass Mills Mall as rounds of heavy rainfall came down. Forecasters tweeted, “If you encounter flooded roadways, be sure to turn around don’t drown!”
Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton saw 6 to 8 inches of rain in about five hours Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Miami.
“So far, those are the hardest-hit areas,” said Sammy Hadi, a meteorologist, adding they had reports of water entering buildings and cars stalling out.
While rain was the biggest concern, it brings with it potential flash flooding, and he said there were some isolated storms that brought small hail and gusty winds.
The potential for more rain is likely for Saturday as well as Sunday, he said, before the rain begins to move away.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be the same level, but there is definitely a possibility of more rain tomorrow.”
The hazardous-weather outlook says there will be a chance of afternoon and evening showers and storms from Saturday to Thursday, with the main concern being gusty winds, brief periods of heavy rainfall and lightning strikes.
Flood advisories were issued for parts of Pembroke Pines and Weston on Friday.
RIP CURRENTS AND WATERSPOUTS POSSIBLE ON COAST
South Florida beaches also felt the impact of inclement weather and will continue to do so into next week.
From Saturday to Thursday, Atlantic beaches will see a high risk of rip currents. Because of this, forecasters are telling people to swim only at guarded beaches and to listen to the advice of beach patrols.