FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Unrelenting winds were whipping trees and rocking boats back and forth on Thursday in Fort Lauderdale.
The strong gusts of up to 40 miles per hour caused choppy waters near the Las Olas Bridge and kept organizers of the Winterfest Boat Parade from doing any decorating.
The parade is scheduled for Saturday, but the poor weather has put the festivities in jeopardy.
Organizers said they will decide whether to go forward with the so-called best show on H2O at 1 p.m. on Friday.
On both Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood beaches, rough waters churned the Atlantic, chasing away beachgoers.
Flood barriers were installed to halt possible storm surge.
Hollywood city officials lifted fees at some parking garages and allowed residents to find higher ground for their vehicles as conditions worsened.
The boat parade brings in roughly $50 million to the local economy, so a lot of local businesses are going to be looking for Friday’s decision.