UPDATE 8am Friday, 14APR: The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has confirmed it's reopening at 9 am Friday, 14APR, after it first suspended operations Wednesday, then closed altogether after what was described as "the rainiest day in (Fort Lauderdale's) history" Wednesday, with over 2 feet of rain in a 24-hour period creating a flash flooding emergency with over 30-inch flooding.
Airport authorities had said they'd hoped to open by 5 am Friday, but tweeted just before 8 am that operations were scheduled to resume at 9 am.
#Travel Alert ( Update No. 9): Airline operations at #FLL are set to begin at 9AM, Friday, April 14, 2023. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for updated flight times BEFORE coming to the airport. Thanks for your patience as we work to restore normal operations.
— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL) (@FLLFlyer) April 14, 2023
ABC News reports that Wednesday's flooding brought the city to a stand-still. Fort Lauderdale is under a state of emergency as thousands in the area are without power.
The National Weather Service in Miami says the area remains under threat of severe storms. Thursday 13APR and Sunday 16APR are being called "Impact Days" for the storm.
When the airport in Fort Lauderdale looks like a lake, it's time to admit there's a problem.
Global warming & climate change don't cause wild fires, mud slides, flash floods, severe rainfall, tornadoes & hurricanes.
They make them more frequent, destructive & deadly.#ProudBlue pic.twitter.com/M6RLsfXhpv
— LA Blue Dot in GA 🌊💔 (@namwella1961) April 13, 2023
CNN says that a flood warning remains in effect for portions of Broward County until noon Thursday with a flood watch in effect through the evening.
Thursday's rains aren't expected to reach the "1-in-1000 year" amounts that fell on Wednesday, but any new rainfall is expected to contribute to existing flooding. The National Weather Service says gusty winds, hail and even isolated tornadoes are possible.
Thousands were stranded at FLL Wednesday as hundreds of flights were first suspended. At the same time, access roads into and out of the airport were flooded, preventing vehicles from leaving.
FLL's closure "will allow airport staff to work to restore partial operations on one runway, providing current conditions do not worsen," the airport tweeted.
Travellers are advised to avoid going to the airport ahead of their flights and to check the status of their flights online on the airport's website here.
#TravelAlert (Update No. 7) pic.twitter.com/M3hssZi1KL
— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL) (@FLLFlyer) April 13, 2023
