FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport temporarily closed Monday morning due to severe rain and flash flooding. Flights resumed around 6:45 a.m. but there were plenty of delays for the many travelers who were heading out of town for Christmas.
Officials reported the airport was experiencing at least 113 flight delays about 10:40 a.m. and six cancellations about 8 a.m.
By 4 p.m., most travelers said they were experiencing only one or two hour delays.
Throughout the morning crews worked to clear debris from the FLL runways. Video showed water rushing into the airport’s parking garages around 4 a.m.
Broken down cars waited for tow trucks at the entrance to the airport. A view from Sky 10 early Monday morning showed traffic at a standstill on U.S. Highway 1 leading to the airport.
One driver showed Local 10 about an inch of water still on the floor of the back seat of his car.
Officials are advising travelers to check with their airline for the latest flight status and to allow extra time to arrive at the airport.