WORLD NEWS | Storms hit South Florida, closing key airports

FORT LAUDERDALE, April 13 (AP) – A storm brought heavy rain, high winds and thunderstorms to South Florida on Wednesday and closed the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, a high-speed commuter rail line in the area. Service suspended.

Local media reported that a flash flood emergency was declared for Broward County, which includes Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, as nearly a foot (30 centimeters) of rain fell in just a few hours.

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The city of Fort Lauderdale issued a statement late Wednesday urging residents and tourists to stay off the road until the floodwaters subside.

“Police and Fire and Rescue continue to respond to calls for service,” the statement said. “Public Works crews are clearing gutters and activating pumps to relieve standing water as quickly as possible.”

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The airport tweeted at around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday’s incessant rain showers prompted one of the region’s largest airports to suspend all incoming and outgoing flights

Around 5 p.m., the airport announced the closure of ground transportation shuttle service in response to recurring tornado warnings and continued heavy rainfall.

The main road in and out of the airport was flooded and impassable around 5.15pm, the airport said

“Please do not attempt to enter or leave the airport at this time,” it warned.

The airport will restart operations once the weather improves in the Fort Lauderdale area, the company said.

Heavy rain also prompted the closure of high-speed commuter rail service in South Florida. Brightline posted on Twitter Wednesday night that train service between Miami and Fort Lauderdale was suspended.

The National Weather Service in Miami declared a flash flood emergency for Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas of Hollywood and Dania Beach around 8 p.m. Wednesday. Shortly after, forecasters issued tornado warnings for nearby Davy, Plantation and Lauderhill.

The service also issued a flash flood emergency for Fort Lauderdale and other areas just before 11 p.m. ET, warning: “This is a life-threatening situation.”

Footage taken by witnesses showed water pouring in through doors at the airport terminal and a virtual river rushing down the tarmac between planes.

On Broward Boulevard, a man was seen swimming to the side of a flooded street during rush hour as cars drove past.

Drivers recorded themselves driving down the street as swirling brown water flooded wheel wells or nearly flooded the hoods of cars. (Associated Press)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the body of content may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)