MIAMI – Coastal wind gusts capable of blowing around objects, downing tree limbs, creating dangerous swimming and surfing conditions, and causing power outages will peak on Thursday and Friday in South Florida.
There will be periods of heavy rain on Thursday in Miami-Dade and Broward counties that may cause debris to clog storm drains and ditches and affect areas prone to flooding.
The National Weather Service warned drivers to be careful, boaters and swimmers to beware of dangerous marine conditions, and residents about the need to secure outdoor objects.
Northeast winds from 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, large breaking waves up to 12 feet high, dangerous rip currents, and minor flooding were set to affect the coastal areas at the cities of Miami, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.
A wind advisory, a coastal flood statement, a high surf advisory, and a high rip current risk were in effect until 7 a.m., on Saturday. There was also a potential for thunderstorms with lightning, torrential rainfall, and strong wind gusts over the Atlantic waters.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph are possible each day, especially along the coastline. This could down weaker tree limbs and lead to isolated power outages.
BROWARD COUNTY
Rough seas were spotted Thursday off Fort Lauderdale Beach and Hollywood Beach as strong gusts of wind churn up the Atlantic.
Officials from the city of Fort Lauderdale say a flood watch is in effect through 7 p.m. Thursday.
City officials say wind gusts up to 40 mph are possible. They’re encouraging residents to take in any items from their yards that could be blown away, including inflatable holiday decorations.
City crews placed flood barriers along the beach wall openings to prevent storm surge and sand from washing into nearby hotels and businesses.
City officials in Hollywood Beach, meanwhile, lifted fees at some parking garages, allowing residents to find higher ground for their vehicles as conditions worsen.
Wind is already causing some problems at the coast. A Gale Warning is in place until Saturday morning with seas running 11 to 16 feet. Right on the beach, high surf is expected with large breaking waves of 7 to 12 feet. This will lead to beach erosion and high water during times of high tide.
As for Saturday’s Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale, officials will made a final decision on whether or not to postpone the event by Friday at 1 p.m.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Over in South Beach, it was much emptier than usual Thursday.
The lifeguard towers had red “high hazard” warning flags up, as well as sea life flags.
Most of Miami-Dade County is seeing some sprinkling rain, but plenty of gusty wind.
It’s really kicking the surf around too as waves are looking like white caps as they’re crashing along the shoreline.
Some South Beach tourists told Local 10′s Ian Margol that this isn’t exactly what they were anticipating when they booked their Miami Beach vacation.
“Not exactly what we expected. We wanted the blue water, wanted to get in the water,” Michael Smith, who is visiting from North Carolina, said.
“And it’s my birthday!” Riquita Smith added. “Not what I was hoping for my birthday, but we’re going to make the most of it.”
Earlier in the day, Margol was over in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood -- an area that is really prone to flooding -- and saw they already had big pumps out and running, ready to move any significant standing water.
But the good news is, as of now, there isn’t much accumulation to speak of at all.
MONROE COUNTY
In Monroe County, much of the island chain, from Islamorada to Key West, was without power Thursday morning.
According to Keys Energy Services, crews identified the cause of the outage as a broken lightning arrestor in Marathon. A lightning arrestor protects equipment on power poles from lightning strikes.
Some schools in Monroe County had to delay their opening time Thursday, but all schools are now open.
While flooding is possible at any time through Sunday morning, the main time frame of concern is Saturday through Sunday morning. This is when the rain will be heaviest and most widespread.
The back edge of the rain is expected to move through Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon and evening, drier air will be rushing in. Clouds will be breaking up with a return to sunshine and drier weather for the second half of the day.
Cooler and drier air continues to move in next Monday and Tuesday with lows dipping into the 50s again.
For more information about the local weather conditions in your neighborhood and to view live radar, visit this page.