DeSantis Declares State Of Emergency As ‘Life-Threatening’ Rainfall Hits Florida

HALLANDALE BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 13: A person walks through a flooded street on June 13, 2024, in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Tropical moisture passing through the area has caused flooding due to the heavy rain. Forecasts are calling for more rain in an area already saturated with water. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
A person walks through a flooded street on June 13, 2024, in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Tropical moisture passing through the area has caused flooding due to the heavy rain. Forecasts are calling for more rain in an area already saturated with water. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

OAN’s James Meyers
11:00 AM – Thursday, June 13, 2024

A massive “life-threatening” storm has drenched South Florida, stranding dozens of drivers in flooded streets, and prompted GOP Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a “state of emergency.”  

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The heavy storm caused flooding throughout several roads in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas, “turning several roads in south Florida into rivers and lakes,” which forced some drivers to abandon their cars and swim to safety. 

The National Weather Service warned of “catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding.”

The severe weather also shut down a major portion of the I-95 near Fort Lauderdale, but it was later reopened early on Thursday morning.

“Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding is expected to continue into the evening hours across south Florida with an emphasis on the highly urbanized and densely populated I-95 corridor from Fort Lauderdale south through Miami and Homestead,” the National Weather Service said in an advisory.

Several large structures have flooded completely and multiple roads remained closed on Thursday. 

“It will take several hours for all the water from these storms to work through local drainage systems in urban areas,” the weather service warned. 

Meanwhile, the flood watch will remain in effect through Friday. 

Additionally, the storm has caused hundreds of flights to and from South Florida airports to be grounded. Over 100 flights headed for Miami International were canceled, along with 22 others destined for Fort Lauderdale International, according to FlightAware

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