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Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida was shut down for two days in April 2023 due to unprecedented flooding. The closure was caused by a massive storm that dumped an estimated seven months' worth of rain in just seven hours, resulting in more than 25 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period. This led to the cancellation of over 1,100 flights and caused significant disruptions for travellers. The flooding also affected the surrounding areas, with reports of flooded streets, homes, and businesses, leading to a state of emergency declaration in Broward County.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport |
| Location | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Date of flooding | 13 April 2023 |
| Cause of flooding | Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall |
| Amount of rainfall | 25.91 inches in 24 hours |
| Impact | Airport closed until Friday; more than 650 flights cancelled |
| Response | Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in Broward County |
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What You'll Learn
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport closed due to flooding
On April 13, 2023, the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was forced to close due to severe flooding. A powerful storm had dumped more than two feet of rain in the area, causing flash floods and inundating the airport's runways and terminal buildings. The closure left travellers stranded and resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
The National Weather Service reported that a staggering 25.91 inches of rain fell at the airport in a 24-hour period, obliterating previous records. This intense rainfall overwhelmed the airport's airfields and nearby roads, with floodwaters nearly reaching the hoods of cars. Social media posts from the area showed homes and airport terminals flooded, with water rushing through doors.
In anticipation of the flash flooding, the airport had announced its closure until Friday morning, with the potential for further flooding. The closure was necessary to clear debris and water from the runways and ensure safe conditions for aircraft and passengers. During this time, airport staff worked diligently to restore partial operations on one runway, aiming to resume flights as soon as possible.
The impact of the flooding extended beyond the airport, with Broward County Public Schools closing their institutions and cancelling extracurricular activities. Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in Broward County, advising residents in flooded areas to stay away from the waters. The storm's impact highlighted the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, underscoring the need for proactive planning and adaptation strategies at airports nationwide.
By Friday, airport officials completed final inspections, and flights gradually resumed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. While operations slowly returned to normal, the closure caused ongoing disruptions for passengers, with the airport cancelling more than 650 flights on Thursday alone, according to FlightAware.com. The airport's experience served as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change and severe weather conditions on aviation infrastructure.
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Over 2 feet of rain fell in under 24 hours
In April 2023, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida was flooded after a storm dumped more than 2 feet of rain in under 24 hours. The airport was shut down on Wednesday evening, and flights were not expected to resume until Friday morning. This decision was made due to the debris and water covering the runways, with the intense storm overwhelming airfields and nearby roads.
The National Weather Service reported that nearly 26 inches of rain fell in the area within a 24-hour period, with the previous record being 14.59 inches. The airport remained closed until at least Friday morning as workers attempted to restore partial operations on one runway. Torrents of water inundated the roads, impeding travel to and from the airport.
On social media, residents shared videos of their homes being flooded, with water rushing into airport terminals and nearly reaching car hoods on the streets. Forecasters warned of potential additional flooding in South Florida, and Broward County Public Schools closed their facilities for Thursday, canceling extracurricular activities.
The storm's impact extended beyond the airport, with residents in the Edgewood neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale experiencing flooding in their homes and on the streets. The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, declared a state of emergency in Broward County and advised residents in flooded areas to stay away from the waters.
The closure of the airport resulted in the cancellation of more than 650 flights, causing disruptions for passengers even after the airport reopened on Friday morning. The airport slowly returned to normal operations, but the almost two-day closure continued to affect travelers.
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Flooding caused by a storm with tornadoes
On April 13, 2023, a storm with tornadoes hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, resulting in flash flooding across the region. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was particularly affected, with runways inundated by water and debris. The airport was forced to shut down for two days, causing the cancellation of over 1,100 flights. During the storm, the airport recorded a staggering 25.91 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period, obliterating previous records.
The storm's impact extended beyond the airport, with residents in nearby areas such as Hollywood, Florida, experiencing severe flooding. Videos posted on social media showed homes being flooded, with water rushing into airport terminals and nearly reaching the hoods of cars on the streets. Forecasters warned of the likelihood of additional flash flooding, with heavy rainfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour predicted. The potential for localized rainfall totals of 3-5+ inches raised concerns about aggravating the ongoing flooding conditions in the sensitive Fort Lauderdale region.
Broward County, which includes Fort Lauderdale, was declared under a state of emergency by Governor Ron DeSantis. Residents in flooded areas were advised to stay away from the waters, and Broward County Public Schools closed their facilities and canceled extracurricular activities. The storm's impact on transportation was significant, with flooded roadways causing traffic disruptions and delays at local airports, including Miami International Airport.
The unprecedented flooding highlighted the increasing frequency and intensity of storms due to climate change. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recognized the need for airports to be better equipped to handle the effects of climate change and severe weather. This includes implementing tools and plans to adapt to storms and mitigate their impact on airport operations.
The cleanup and recovery efforts in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas commenced after the storm. While airport operations gradually returned to normal, the aftermath of the flooding continued to affect residents. Some neighborhoods, such as Edgewood, experienced water levels up to two feet deep, and residents had to evacuate and deal with power outages and water damage to their homes. The storm's impact served as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by severe weather events and the importance of preparedness and proactive planning to mitigate their effects.
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More than 650 flights cancelled at the airport
On 13 April 2023, a storm hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bringing with it an unprecedented amount of rainfall. In just 24 hours, 25.91 inches of rain fell at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, breaking previous records. As a result of the extreme weather, the airport was forced to close, with flights not expected to resume until Friday morning at the earliest. This caused significant disruption to travel plans, with over 650 flights cancelled at the airport on Thursday alone, according to FlightAware.com.
The closure of the airport was due to the inundation of its runways and the presence of debris. The intense rainfall caused flash flooding across the region, affecting not only the airport but also the surrounding areas, including the Edgewood neighbourhood. The impact of the flooding was captured in photos and videos, which showed waterlogged scenes both within the airport and in the nearby streets. Cars were seen almost entirely submerged in the floodwaters, with water levels reaching up to the hoods of the vehicles.
The National Weather Service warned of the potential for additional flash flooding in the area, with forecasts predicting further rainfall at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour. This raised concerns about the potential for further disruptions and the worsening of ongoing flooding conditions. In anticipation of these challenges, Broward County Public Schools made the decision to close schools and cancel extracurricular activities for Thursday.
The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, declared a state of emergency in Broward County, which encompasses Fort Lauderdale. This declaration was made in response to the severe weather conditions and the resulting flooding. Residents in the affected areas were advised to stay away from floodwaters, and many found themselves dealing with flooded homes and streets. Despite the challenges, some individuals in Edgewood shared their relief that their possessions had remained dry, even as they witnessed the wet conditions all around them.
The closure of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport lasted for nearly two days, and while operations slowly returned to normal by Friday afternoon, the impact of the closure was still being felt by passengers. The airport's shutdown highlighted the increasing frequency of intense storms and the need for airports to proactively address the challenges posed by climate change and severe weather events. This includes implementing tools and plans to better prepare for and manage the impacts of such events in the future.
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Flooding affected the airport and the surrounding areas
Flooding affected Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the surrounding areas in April 2023. A storm dumped more than two feet of rain in under 24 hours, causing the airport to shut down. The National Weather Service reported that 25.91 inches of rain fell at the airport in a 24-hour period, breaking previous records. This led to flash flooding, with water rushing into airport terminals and inundating runways, roads, and nearby neighbourhoods.
Videos and photos posted on social media showed flooded homes and cars almost completely submerged on flooded streets. The airport closed on Wednesday evening, and flights were not expected to resume until Friday morning at the earliest. During this time, workers attempted to restore partial operations on one runway. More than 650 flights were cancelled at the airport on Thursday, according to FlightAware.com.
The flooding also impacted the neighbouring Edgewood neighbourhood in Fort Lauderdale. Residents dealt with water levels that were up to two feet deep in some spots, even a day after the rain. One resident shared how they had to use foot-high cinder blocks to keep their bed from being damaged by the floodwaters. Another resident, Hayden Wooster, used his large pickup truck to help people get to and from their homes, including a family with two disabled daughters.
The severe weather extended beyond the immediate vicinity of the airport, affecting other parts of Broward County. The county's public schools and district offices closed on Thursday, and all extracurricular activities were cancelled. Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in the county and advised residents in flooded areas to stay away from the waters.
The impact of the flooding was not limited to travel disruptions and residential areas. The storms also affected businesses, with one report mentioning a restaurant worker who had to evacuate and was unable to operate due to a lack of electricity. The storms and their aftermath highlighted the need for better tools and planning to address the effects of climate change and severe weather on airports and the surrounding communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in South Florida was shut down due to flooding in April 2023.
The airport received between 15 to 26 inches of rain in a 24-hour period, with some areas seeing up to two feet of water.
The flooding and debris on runways led to the cancellation of over 650 flights and a two-day shutdown, causing travel disruptions for passengers.
