Torrential Rainstorm Set to Drench the Northeast Tonight – Brace for Heavy Downpours

A relentless string of powerful storms soaked much of South Florida this week, and Friday’s forecast predicted more rain will continue to soak sections of the state. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade, and Sarasota counties.

The National Weather Service warned that even smaller amounts of precipitation could worsen saturated areas, triggering more flash floods on Friday. Patients and workers at a cancer hospital in Fort Myers were stranded Thursday afternoon because of flooding, CBS affiliate WINK-TV reported.

Images emerged of children traversing South Florida streets in an inflatable raft, adults wading through knee-deep water covering neighborhood blocks, and cars stalled while submerged and stranded in the middle of roadways.

Meteorologists warned that an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain were forecast for Friday with higher amounts possible in some areas.

Officials said around 20 inches had fallen on Thursday afternoon in Hallandale Beach, near Fort Lauderdale. Videos from the Broward County community showed cars submerged to the hood. All Broward County schools were closed Thursday and will remain closed Friday.

Parts of South Florida were under flood watches on Friday, with forecasters projecting additional rain falling on saturated ground for counties previously hit by earlier deluges in the last few days.

What communities In Florida Will Be Impacted?

A tropical disturbance triggered a rare flash flood emergency warning across the tip of the Florida peninsula Thursday. Parts of South Florida were hit by heavy rains and flooding earlier in the week.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service updated their risk profile for excessive rainfall in Florida’s southernmost areas to “moderate” early Friday morning, explaining in a bulletin that “even moderate rain rates are likely to cause additional flash flooding, as any rainfall will be unable to drain anywhere, and will instead pond in place.”