Tropical system moves off Florida shore toward Bahamas, leaves flooding behind
By Jay Croft, Haley Brink and Christina Maxouris, CNN
Heavy rains, strong winds and flooding hit South Florida Saturday, with up to 11 inches falling in some spots since Friday and cars stalled on streets in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
The city of Miami warned Saturday afternoon several roads were not accessible. At least one beach was temporarily closed.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials warned the danger of flooding throughout the weekend is “high” across the county, especially in low-lying and poorly drained parts, and urged residents not to try and walk or drive through flooded waters. About 100 vehicles were stranded overnight in floodwaters throughout Miami, Fire Chief Joseph Zahralban told CNN affiliate WSVN.
The county also issued a No-Swim Advisory for certain areas after officials announced there were sewer overflows. Wastewater overflow at a local plant had the “potential to mix with flood waters at the facility and flow towards adjacent surface waters,” the county said in a news release. Residents and visitors were also urged to avoid activities like fishing and boating.
A flood watch was in effect across south Florida Saturday, including Miami, through 8 p.m. ET.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said the heaviest rain bands of the storm system had moved offshore by late afternoon but warned some isolated showers could follow and cause localized flooding.
Earlier the NWS office in Miami said between 6 and 11 inches of rain fell on some areas.
Record rainfall was recorded Saturday for the date of June 4 in West Palm Beach (which saw 4.5 inches of water), Fort Lauderdale (which saw 6.55 inches) and Miami (which recorded 5.24 inches), according to the NWS.
Potential Tropical Cycle One was poorly organized as it headed for the Atlantic Ocean Saturday evening. At roughly 5 p.m. ET, the National Hurricane Center had the center of the storm at roughly 40 miles northeast of Fort Pierce.
The storm is expected to strengthen
The storm had sustained winds of about 45 mph and was moving quickly to the northeast at roughly 18 mph, according to the center.
An earlier tropical storm warning for Florida’s east coast was discontinued Saturday evening, but a warning remained for the northwestern Bahamas and a tropical storm watch was in effect for Bermuda, the center said.
The newest track from the hurricane center shows the storm system strengthening enough to become Tropical Storm Alex within the next 12 hours, then passing north of Bermuda by Monday.
A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are possible.
Airlines canceled 841 flights on Friday amid multiple storm systems, FlightAware data showed.
US airlines warned disruptions at the Florida airports would last through the weekend.
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CNN’s Gene Norman, Hannah Sarisohn and Greg Wallace contributed to this report.
