South Florida flood risk continues midweek after Broward flash flooding, multi-day soaking

The National Weather Service in Miami’s Area Forecast Discussion issued at 7:18 a.m. EDT Tuesday, Sept. 22, keeps a wet pattern over South Florida through midweek. Forecasters expect scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms today, with elevated rain chances through the rest of the week. Heavy downpours from stronger storms could produce localized flooding in urban and poor-drainage areas each day. The Weather Prediction Center is carrying a marginal risk of excessive rainfall today and Wednesday for Southeast Florida. Forecast precipitable water values of about 2.1 to 2.4 inches are above the 90th percentile for this time of year, and a pinned Atlantic sea breeze under southerly low-level flow could focus flooding concerns along the east coast metro.

That risk follows a Flash Flood Warning NWS Miami issued Monday evening for central Broward County from 5:12 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. EDT. Radar indicated 3 to 5 inches of rain had already fallen, with another 2 to 4 inches possible. Locations listed in the warning included Sunrise, Tamarac, Margate, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, North Lauderdale, and Lauderdale Lakes. Separately, reporting based on National Weather Service guidance described parts of Palm Beach County absorbing more than 10 inches of rain over three days under a slow-moving upper-level disturbance over the eastern Gulf, with the flood threat expected to linger into at least midweek.

Tropical Storm Fay remains well offshore and is not a Florida threat. NHC Advisory 12 at 9:00 a.m. GMT Tuesday placed the center near 31.8°N, 33.7°W — about 570 miles southwest of the Azores — with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. Fay is forecast to become a post-tropical remnant low later today. There are no coastal watches or warnings, and NHC lists no land hazards. The 8:00 a.m. EDT Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook also notes a tropical wave forecast to move off western Africa tomorrow with low formation chances (near 0 percent through 48 hours, 30 percent through seven days) in the far eastern Atlantic.

If stormwater enters a home or business, prompt extraction and drying matter in Florida humidity. Florida Restoration Specialists serves Central Florida water damage calls — water damage restoration and water extraction — or call (863) 588-6617.

Sources: NWS Miami Area Forecast Discussion (7:18 a.m. EDT Sept. 22), NWS Miami Flash Flood Warning, central Broward (Sept. 21), Florida Press: Palm Beach County multi-day rain and flood risk, NHC Tropical Storm Fay Advisory 12, NHC Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook (8:00 a.m. EDT Sept. 22).