Jazmin Li
On April 13, 2023, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was forced to close after experiencing a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event that brought over 2 feet of rain in under 24 hours, causing flash floods and turning roads into rivers. The airport remained shut for almost two days, with stranded travellers unable to leave until the following morning when the upper-level roadway was opened. The closure affected springtime travel plans, with more than 650 flights cancelled, and caused widespread disruption across the city, with ground-floor flooding and power outages in some areas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 12-13 April 2023 |
| Location | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida |
| Cause | Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and tornadoes |
| Rainfall | Up to 26 inches in 24 hours |
| Impact | Airport closure, stranded travellers, road closures, power outages, property damage, evacuation |
| Response | State of emergency declared, rescue and recovery efforts, airport inspections and gradual reopening |
| Casualties | No deaths reported, two firefighters sustained minor injuries |
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What You'll Learn
The airport received over 25 inches of rain in 24 hours
In April 2023, Fort Lauderdale in South Florida experienced a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event, with the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport receiving over 25 inches of rain in 24 hours. The airport was forced to shut down on Wednesday evening, with flights not resuming until Friday morning. The closure caused disruptions to springtime travel plans, as the airport is a key transit point for passengers from nearby cruise terminals.
The unprecedented storm brought over two feet of rain in a matter of hours, causing widespread flooding in the region. The National Weather Service described the amount of rain as "an unprecedented amount". The downpour led to the closure of roads and tunnels, including a tunnel carrying U.S. Route 1 under a river. Fort Lauderdale City Hall was also closed due to ground-floor flooding and power loss.
The rainfall and flooding severely impacted the airport, with runways covered in water and debris. The airport remained closed until Friday morning as crews worked to clear the debris and water. The closure lasted almost two days, affecting many passengers. The airport worked to restore partial operations on one runway, but ongoing flooding and warnings of additional rainfall posed challenges.
The storm caused significant disruptions and damage in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas. Residents in the Edgewood neighborhood recounted water levels up to two feet deep, with some requiring assistance to evacuate from their homes. The city's public works crews focused on ensuring critical infrastructure, clearing roadways, and providing support to affected neighborhoods. Thankfully, no deaths were reported, but two firefighters suffered minor injuries during rescue efforts.
The rainfall and flooding event in Fort Lauderdale were a result of a combination of factors, including a slow-moving warm frontal boundary, a deepening low-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico, and deep moisture in the atmosphere. The city declared a state of emergency, and Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in Broward County, advising residents in flooded areas to stay away from the waters.
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The flooding was caused by a 1-in-1000-year rainfall event
On April 13, 2023, a 1-in-1000-year rainfall event caused the closure of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The airport, which closed on Wednesday evening, remained shut down until Friday morning. The closure was due to debris and massive flooding on the runways, which trapped motorists and left travellers stranded inside the airport.
The flooding was a result of a slow-moving warm frontal boundary, a deepening low-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico, and deep moisture in the atmosphere. This combination resulted in an unprecedented amount of rainfall in the region, with the Fort Lauderdale area seeing record rainfall amounts in a matter of hours, ranging from 15 to 26 inches. The previous 24-hour rainfall record for Fort Lauderdale was 14.59 inches, set in 1979.
The National Weather Service reported that up to 25 inches of rain fell near the airport, with the heaviest downpours occurring on Wednesday afternoon and evening. The rainfall turned thoroughfares into rivers, and the airport's closure disrupted the travel plans of many passengers, as it is a key transit point for those from the cruise terminals at Port Everglades.
The flooding caused widespread damage to the city and surrounding areas in Broward County. Residents reported water levels chin-high, requiring some to crawl through windows to escape. The South Florida Wildlife Centre, located near the airport, was also underwater after the storm. Thankfully, no deaths or injuries were reported, and the city received help from the Red Cross and other organisations during the recovery process.
The 1-in-1000-year rainfall event was an unusual extreme weather event that had a significant impact on the City of Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding region. The airport closure lasted for almost two days, affecting passengers and operations even after the water had receded. The rainfall and flooding highlighted the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events and the importance of preparedness and resilience measures.
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![Historic Framed Print, [D.C. - Wash. - Airport - flood waters around hangar and airplanes. 1923], 17-7/8" x 21-7/8"](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41VUzOkH8iL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The airport closed on Wednesday evening
On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, a severe storm hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, resulting in the closure of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport that evening. The airport remained shut down until Friday morning, as it dealt with the aftermath of the storm, which brought over 2 feet of rain and caused extensive flooding across the region.
The National Weather Service reported that the rainfall in a 24-hour period shattered previous records, with a staggering 25.91 inches of rain measured at the airport. The deluge transformed roads into rivers, trapping motorists and disrupting travel to and from the airport. The airport itself did not escape the flooding, with water inundating the runways and lower-level roads.
As the rain continued into Wednesday night, the airport announced a halt to all operations, citing flooding and tornado warnings. The airport's upper-level roadway was eventually cleared, allowing stranded travellers to depart, but the facility remained closed to incoming and outgoing flights.
The closure of the airport, a key transit hub in the region, had a significant impact on travel plans. Airlines were forced to cancel hundreds of flights, affecting passengers not only at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport but also at nearby cruise terminals. The airport worked to restore partial operations on one runway, but the focus was on ensuring the safety of travellers and staff in the face of the extreme weather conditions.
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. Despite the challenges, the airport was able to resume operations on Friday morning, although the impact of the closure continued to affect some passengers in the following days.
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The flooding disrupted travel and springtime travel plans
On April 13, 2023, a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event occurred in South Florida, bringing a record-breaking amount of rain to the region. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport saw over 25 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period, causing it to shut down on Wednesday evening. The unprecedented amount of rain led to widespread flooding, not just at the airport but also across the city and surrounding areas in Broward County.
The flooding had a significant impact on travel plans, with the airport forced to cancel more than 650 flights. The closure of a key airport in the region disrupted travel not only for those flying in and out of Fort Lauderdale but also for passengers from the nearby cruise terminals at Port Everglades. The airport remained closed until Friday morning, as crews worked to clear the debris and water from the runways.
While the airport resumed operations on Friday, the effects of the flooding were still being felt. The almost two-day closure meant that some passengers' travel plans were impacted beyond just the period of the shutdown. The airport worked to restore partial operations on one runway, but ongoing flooding warnings and the possibility of further rain meant that disruptions could continue.
The clean-up efforts across Fort Lauderdale continued well beyond the initial flooding. A year later, in April 2024, residents like Noah Kahn were still dealing with the aftermath, having to leave their homes for nearly a year while they underwent rebuilding and repairs. The South Florida Wildlife Center, located near the airport, also had to rebuild after being underwater during the storm. While there were no deaths associated with the flooding, two firefighters suffered minor injuries during rescue efforts, and many residents required assistance in evacuating from their homes.
The flooding in Fort Lauderdale serves as a reminder of the impact of extreme weather events on travel and the lives of those in the affected areas. The disruption to springtime travel plans and the long-term recovery process highlight the challenges that come with such unprecedented natural disasters.
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Fort Lauderdale declared a state of emergency
On April 13, 2023, the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, declared a state of emergency after experiencing a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event that brought over 2 feet of rain in a 24-hour period, causing unprecedented flooding. The National Weather Service reported that the Fort Lauderdale area received between 15 and 26 inches of rain, with 25.91 inches recorded at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. This broke the previous 24-hour rainfall record of 14.59 inches set in 1979.
The heavy rainfall led to the closure of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which shut down on Wednesday evening and remained closed until Friday morning. The airport's runways were covered in water and debris, disrupting travel plans and stranding travellers. The flooding also affected nearby roads and infrastructure, including City Hall, which experienced ground-floor flooding and a power outage. Crews worked through the night to respond to rescue calls, and residents in flooded areas were advised to stay away from the waters.
The storm and subsequent flooding caused significant damage to the city and surrounding areas in Broward County. Residents reported water levels reaching chin height, requiring some to crawl through windows to escape. The flooding also impacted homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. While there were no reported deaths, two firefighters suffered minor injuries during rescue efforts. The Red Cross opened an emergency shelter, which quickly reached 80% capacity.
The cleanup and recovery efforts in Fort Lauderdale continued even a year after the flooding. The city's public works crews focused on ensuring the operation of critical infrastructure, clearing roadways and neighbourhoods, and assisting affected residents. While airport operations resumed, the impact of the flooding was still being addressed, with stranded vehicles left on the streets and ongoing repairs to homes and businesses. The South Florida Wildlife Center, located near the airport, was also underwater during the storm, but fortunately, no wildlife was harmed.
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Frequently asked questions
Fort Lauderdale Airport flooded due to a storm that dumped more than two feet of rain in under 24 hours.
The flooding occurred in April 2023, with the airport closing on Wednesday evening and remaining shut down until Friday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, nearly 26 inches of rain fell in a 24-hour period, breaking previous rainfall records for the region.
