MIAMI — The annual rainy season has arrived with force in much of florida, where a disorganized disturbance of tropical weather from the Gulf of Mexico has caused floods in the streets and has prompted tornado warnings, but so far has not caused significant damage or injuries.
The authorities have declared alert maximum floods because the accumulated rains represent a threat to the lives of people and properties. From Pompano Beach to Miami the National Weather Service has issued emergency warnings due to the large accumulation of water.
Florida’s rainy season begins approximately in June with the start of the hurricanes, which this year is expected to be one of the most active in recent times. According to the National Hurricane Center, the disturbance has not reached cyclone status and has only been given a slight chance of forming into a tropical system once it emerges in the Atlantic Ocean after crossing Florida.
“Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is expected to continue across portions of the Florida Peninsula over the next few days,” the National Hurricane Center posted on its website Wednesday.
Highway Patrol diverts traffic
Numerous roads were flooded and impassable for vehicles, including a stretch of Interstate 95 in Broward County. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said southbound traffic was being detoured around the flooded section.
Traffic was interrupted on the southbound lanes at Griffin Road, the FHP reported. Vehicles are being detoured via Sunrise Boulevard and may rejoin the road via Stirling Road.
“This closure will remain in place until further notice and water drains from the interstate. “Contractors are on the way to pump out the sewer system,” FHP said in an email.
It has already been a wet and windy week in Florida, especially in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas. About 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain fell in Miami on Tuesday and 7 inches (17 centimeters) fell in Miami Beach, according to the National Weather Service. Hollywood, south of Fort Lauderdale, received about 5 inches (12 centimeters).
Flood
More rain was forecast for the rest of the week, prompting the weather service office in Miami to extend a flash flood watch through Thursday. Some places could see another half a foot (15 centimeters) of rain.
The west of the state, which has largely suffered from a prolonged drought, also received significant rainfall. In Sarasota, about 6.5 inches (16.5 centimeters) of rain fell Tuesday at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, the weather service says, and flash flood watches were in effect for those areas as well.
The deluge comes amid forecasts for an unusually intense hurricane season.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates there is an 85% chance that the Atlantic hurricane season will be above average, forecasting between 17 and 25 named storms in the coming months, including up to 13 hurricanes and four hurricanes of category 3 or greater. An average season has 14 named storms.
Source: With information from AP and DLA EDITORIAL
