HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Heavy rains caused flooding, flight delays and even a small number of power outages Sunday in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch until noon Monday for Broward County. The rain won't be to the extremes that the area experienced Sunday morning, but it won't take as much to cause flooding because the ground is saturated.
South Florida experienced several days of rain, saturating the ground and overtaxing drainage systems. Sunday brought even more precipitation with up to 9 inches of rain falling in some areas.
The precipitation should taper off by Monday afternoon and the region will get a break from the rain on Tuesday. However, more rain is possible for South Florida later this week.
Standing water replaced cars in this parking lot at Sawgrass Mills mall, where some drivers tried and failed to maneuver around.
"The water was so high, you just couldn't see the bottom of the floor, and so I ended up in the ditch because I thought it was the exit," driver Bryan Clamen said.
Clamen said water seeped inside the car and had to be towed away.
Local 10 News viewers shared photos they snapped of the soaking situation.
In Hollywood, a storm drain became clogged along Taft Street. Drivers were pushing through almost a foot of water in the deepest spots -- something that police and local officials advise against. On Twitter, Coral Springs police advised people to stay indoors.
"Do not go out onto the roads unless absolutely necessary. Conditions are very dangerous," the department said.
A spokesman for the Lauderhill Fire-Rescue Department said portions of the city were flooded and crews were using pumps to ease the flooding. The spokesman urged people to avoid going into flood waters.
Greg Meyer, a spokesman for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, urged travelers to check their flight statuses before heading out. Meyer said several flights have been affected by the heavy rain and at least one parking lot used by taxi drivers was flooded.
Florida Power & Light reported Sunday morning that about 1,400 customers in Broward County were without power while about 1,000 customers in Miami-Dade County were affected. By Sunday evening, most of the outages had been resolved.
Many outdoor events were rained out including Unifest in Lauderdale Lakes.
"This has never happened in its 24-year history. It's very disappointing, but safety first," the organizers of the Caribbean festival said.
