June 2024 South Florida floods
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From June 11 through June 14, 2024, heavy rainfall lead to flooding across South Florida caused by a trough of low pressure over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The rainfall broke several records across the region. Due to a possibility that the system could develop into a tropical cyclone, the National Hurricane Center designated it Invest 90L.
Invest 90L shortly before it made landfall in Florida on June 11 | |
| Cause | Tropical wave |
|---|---|
| Meteorological history | |
| Duration | June 11–14, 2024 |
| Flood | |
| Max. rainfall | 27.95 in (710 mm) in Big Cypress National Preserve[1] |
| Overall effects | |
| Damage | >$100 million[2] |
| Areas affected | South Florida |
Meteorological history
On June 11, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring a trough of low pressure over the Eastern Gulf of Mexico that was expected to produce heavy rainfall over the state of Florida.[3] Later that day, it was designated as Invest 90L, allowing for greater monitoring of the system.[4][5] The invest then moved over Florida.[6] On June 13, the low pressure moved off the Eastern Florida coast.[7] By June 15, the system had merged with a frontal boundary.[8]
As the disturbance moved over Florida on June 11, deep moisture and convection with "anomalous" precipitable water values over 2.25–2.5 in (57–64 mm), as strong influx of low-level moisture took place.[9] Later in the day, rainfall rates have been as high as 4 in (100 mm) per hour due to precipitable water values going over 2.5 in (64 mm), a strong low-level jet with winds over 30 kn (35 mph; 56 km/h), and convective available potential energy (CAPE) over 1500 J/Kg, which caused a high risk of flash and urban flooding across much of southern Florida.[10]
Preparations
Prior to the rainfall, Western Florida was experiencing a drought.[11]
Several counties had states-of-emergencies declared for them by Governor Ron DeSantis[12] along with Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami-Dade County by their own leaders.[13] The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency.[14] Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach opened sites to distribute sandbags.[15] Over 100 pumps were set up on June 10.[16]
The northwest of the Bahamas was placed under flood watch from June 12 to June 14.[17]
Impacts
Multiple cities recorded over 15 in (380 mm) of rain from the system.[13][18] Fort Lauderdale received the average monthly amount of rain for June in 24 hours on June 12,[19] the wettest day in the city recorded in June.[20] Throughout the whole event, Fort Lauderdale received over 20 in (510 mm) of rain.[16] From June 12 to June 15, Big Cypress National Preserve received just under 28 in (710 mm) of rain.[21] Northeast Miami-Dade County received over 22 in (560 mm).[16] On June 12, various places in Sarasota County, just south of Tampa Bay, recorded 3 hour rainfall totals of 8 in (200 mm).[22] Rainfall of this magnitude can be expected to hit this area once every 500 to 1000 years,[23] and the storm represented the first of four flooding events for the area in a four month period (including Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton). Farther south, Fort Myers recorded 5.44 in (138 mm) of rain, the most recorded there in a 24 hour span.[24]
The South Florida Water Management District set up five temporary pumps in Miami Beach and along the Miami River.[25]
I-95 southbound in Broward County had to be rerouted to avoid a flooded section of the route.[13][23] Hundreds of flights were cancelled and delayed across South Florida. Flights were delayed on average seven hours according to the FAA.[14] Half of the flights at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport were delayed or cancelled.[11] The Florida East Coast Railway, which is used by Brightline, in between Aventura and Miami was flooded.[14]
An EF1 tornado touched down at Hobe Sound in Martin County on June 12. Numerous trees along its path were toppled.[26]