Roberta Aguirre
In April 2023, a massive storm hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, causing unprecedented flooding in the region. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was shut down for two days as its runways were inundated with water and debris. More than 1,100 flights were canceled, and the airport slowly resumed operations on Friday morning. This event highlighted the growing concerns about the impact of climate change and severe weather on airports, not just in Florida but across the nation. In June 2024, flash floods once again overwhelmed airports and filled the streets of Northeast Miami-Dade County with abandoned cars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport |
| Date of flooding | April 13, 2023 |
| Cause of flooding | Storm |
| Amount of rainfall | 15 to 26 inches |
| Number of cancelled flights | More than 650 |
| Number of cancelled flights | More than 1,100 |
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What You'll Learn
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was shut down
On April 14, 2023, a massive storm hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, causing widespread flooding in the city and leading to the shutdown of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The airport was closed off on Wednesday evening, and it remained shut down for almost two days. This decision was made due to the presence of debris and massive flooding on the runways, which made it unsafe for flights to arrive or depart.
The storm dumped an estimated seven months' worth of rain in just seven hours, an unprecedented occurrence that resulted in extensive flooding across the region. The National Weather Service reported that over 25 inches of rain fell near the airport, with some areas in South Florida receiving between 15 and 26 inches of rainfall. The city of Fort Lauderdale declared a state of emergency, and Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Broward County, which includes Fort Lauderdale.
The closure of the airport, the second-largest in the region, caused significant disruptions to travel plans. More than 1,100 flights were canceled, affecting both passengers and airlines. The airport resumed operations on Friday morning, but even then, the impact of the closure was still being felt by some travelers. The slow return to normal operations highlighted the challenges posed by severe weather events to aviation infrastructure and the need for proactive planning and adaptation strategies.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recognized the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms and is working to help airports prepare for and manage similar situations in the future. This includes developing tools and guidelines to enhance airports' resilience and ability to proactively address the effects of climate change and severe weather conditions. The FAA aims to raise awareness about the dangers posed by climate change and provide support to airports in their efforts to adapt and enhance their resilience.
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More than 1,100 flights were cancelled
On April 14, 2023, a massive storm hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, causing unprecedented flooding in the region. The storm dumped an estimated seven months of rain in just seven hours, with rainfall amounts ranging from 15 to 26 inches in a matter of hours. This extreme weather event led to the shutdown of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, as its runways were inundated with floodwaters.
The impact of the storm was significant, resulting in more than 1,100 flight cancellations. According to FlightAware.com, airlines were forced to cancel around 650 flights at the Fort Lauderdale airport on Thursday. The airport was closed for two days, and while operations slowly resumed on the second day, the impact was still being felt by passengers.
The flooding at the airport was not an isolated incident. The storm caused widespread flooding across South Florida, with streets transformed into lakes. The water levels were so high that some residents had to evacuate their homes, and firefighters provided assistance in small boats. The clean-up and recovery efforts continued even after the rain subsided, with residents trying to return to their daily lives.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognizes the increasing frequency and severity of such storms due to climate change. They are taking proactive measures to help airports prepare for severe weather and reduce potential operational disruptions. This includes developing tools and raising awareness about the dangers of climate change to enhance airports' ability to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.
While the storm in April 2023 was particularly devastating, South Florida experienced another round of heavy rainfall and flash flooding in June 2024. This weather delayed flights at two of the state's largest airports, including Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport once again. The region's lowest-lying streets were flooded, and vehicles were left waterlogged and stalled.
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The storm dumped over 2 feet of rain
On April 14, 2023, a massive storm hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, dumping an estimated seven months' worth of rain in just seven hours. This deluge caused widespread flooding, including at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which was forced to shut down for two days. The airport witnessed record rainfall amounts, with some areas receiving between 15 and 26 inches of precipitation. The impact of the storm resulted in the cancellation of over 1,100 flights, leaving travellers stranded and causing significant disruptions to airport operations.
The storm's impact extended beyond the airport, with residents in the Edgewood neighbourhood of Fort Lauderdale facing challenging conditions. Some reported water levels that were still up to two feet deep on Friday morning, as they attempted to clean up and recover from the flooding. The bridal tiara of newlywed Tatiana Rodriguez, who lived in a one-room rental in Edgewood with her husband, was still hanging on the headboard of their bed, a reminder of the sudden influx of water that had entered their home just days before.
Hayden Wooster, an attorney, spent two days driving through the flooded streets of Edgewood in his large pickup truck, offering assistance to those in need. He helped evacuate people with medical devices and a family with two disabled daughters, showcasing the resilience and compassion of the community in the face of adversity.
While South Florida is accustomed to storms, the intensity and rapid accumulation of rainfall during this event were unprecedented. The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The flooding at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 2023 serves as a stark reminder of the dangers and potential operational disruptions that climate change presents to airports not just in Florida but across the nation.
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Flooding persisted in parts of the city
On April 14, 2023, a massive storm hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, causing unprecedented flooding in the city and leading to the closure of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The storm dumped an estimated seven months of rain in just seven hours, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
The airport was forced to shut down on Wednesday evening, and flights were not expected to resume until Friday morning due to the severe flooding and debris on the runways. Over 1,100 flights were canceled, causing significant travel disruptions for passengers. The National Weather Service reported that up to 25 inches of rain fell near the airport, with some areas in Fort Lauderdale receiving between 15 and 26 inches of rainfall.
As the city struggled to cope with the flooding, crews worked tirelessly through the night to respond to rescue calls and assist residents in need. Despite the challenges, there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths. The city declared a state of emergency, and Governor Ron DeSantis advised residents in flooded areas to stay away from the waters.
While the airport resumed operations on Friday morning, the impact of the flooding persisted in parts of the city. Fort Lauderdale's Edgewood neighborhood was particularly affected, with water levels still up to two feet deep in some spots on Friday morning. Residents navigated through the lingering floodwaters as they worked to clean up their homes and neighborhoods. The storm's impact highlighted the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, underscoring the need for proactive planning and adaptation measures to address the challenges posed by climate change.
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The airport reopened on Friday morning
On April 14, 2023, a massive storm hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, causing unprecedented flooding in the city and forcing the closure of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The airport was shut down for two days as its runways were inundated with water, leading to the cancellation of over 1,100 flights.
By early Thursday, enough water had receded to allow vehicles to drive on the upper-level departures road and pick up waiting passengers. However, the arrivals road on the lower level remained closed.
The airport was expected to reopen on Friday, and final inspections were conducted after sunrise. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport officially resumed operations at 9 a.m. on Friday morning. While airport operations slowly returned to normal, the two-day closure still impacted some passengers.
The storm dumped more than two feet of rain in under 24 hours, with the Fort Lauderdale area seeing record rainfall amounts ranging from 15 to 26 inches in a matter of hours. This amount of rainfall is considered a "once-in-a-lifetime storm," but such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
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Frequently asked questions
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
An estimated seven months' worth of rain fell in seven hours, with the Fort Lauderdale area seeing between 15 and 26 inches of rain.
The airport was shut down for two days, with over 1,100 flights cancelled.
Broward County, which includes Fort Lauderdale, declared a state of emergency. There were widespread floods, with water entering homes and schools.
The airport reopened on Friday morning, although operations were slowly returning to normal throughout the day.
