Flooding Reported Throughout South Florida

Heavy rains create hazardous conditions in Broward and Miami-Dade

It was a wet morning in South Florida as flash flood warnings were in effect for parts of both Miami-Dade and Broward early Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

In Miami-Dade the warning was extended until 8:30 p.m. and included the areas of Westchester, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, Miami and Coral Gables.

Law enforcement officials reported several streets flooded in Coral Gables, Downtown Miami and Miami Beach. Assistant Chief Joseph Zahralban, with Miami Fire Rescue, said the worst areas were Brickell and South Coconut Grove areas.

"We've had issues where we've had water as deep as approximately 12 inches from the roof of smaller compact cars and have also seen situations where cars were actually floating in the street," Zahralban said, adding that some drivers had to be rescued out of their cars.

Flooding was reported on Biscayne Boulevard near Northwest 56th Street and Northwest 36th Street near Northwest 2nd Avenue. The I-395 ramps to Watson Island were also reported closed due to flooding.

The flash flood warning was in effect for east central Broward until 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, with some flooding reported throughout the area.

In Oakland Park, several inches of water were seen on Oakland Park Boulevard between Interste 95 and Martin Luther King Boulevard. At least half a dozen waterlogged cars were seen stalled out in that stretch.

"It just died," said Robert Velasquez, who was waiting for a tow truck next to his car.

Suly Sutherland, of Fort Lauderdale, had the first floor of his home flood.

"It's a big hassle, but at least we didn't get a hurricane. RIght?" He said.

Cardinal Gibbons High School, Gulliver Academy and Pinecrest Middle School all  canceled classes Monday due to the storms.

The heavy rains that had caused the flooding had mostly moved out of the area early Monday, though scattered showers were expected throughout the day.

Some seven inches of rain fell in Miami Beach over the weekend and six inches of rain was reported in Oakland Park.

The Red Cross said 16 people were sleeping in a shelter, and 300 residents registered for assistance, most of whom were given some food and water. A total of 200 meals were given throuhgout the day.

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