June 2024 South Florida floods
 Invest 90L shortly before it made landfall in Florida on June 11 | |
| Cause | Tropical wave |
|---|---|
| Meteorological history | |
| Duration | June 11–14, 2024 |
| Flood | |
| Maximum rainfall | 27.95 in (710 mm) in Big Cypress National Preserve[1] |
| Overall effects | |
| Damage | >$100 million[2] |
| Areas affected | South Florida |
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.
Meteorological history
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Dolan, Deirdre; Blanco-Alcala, Noah (June 15, 2024). "Storm Summary Number 4 for South Florida Heavy Rain". Iowa Environmental Mesonet (Press release). Weather Prediction Center, College Park, Maryland: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "Insured Losses from Recent South Florida Floods Reaching into the Millions". Insurance Journal. June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ Cangialosi, John; Kelly, Larry (June 13, 2024). "Two-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Barker, Aaron (June 11, 2024). "The Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather: Tracking Invest 90L as it drenches Florida". FOX Weather. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Kegges, Jonathan (June 12, 2024). "National Hurricane Center designates first invest of 2024 season. Here's what that means". WKMG. Orlando, Florida. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Julmisse, Yasmine (June 13, 2024). "New disturbance forms in the Gulf as Invest 90-L moves over South Florida". WPBF. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Kremposky, Averi (June 13, 2024). "Tropics: Invest 90-L moves off Florida coast, formation chance in Gulf of Mexico increases". WESH. Orlando, Florida. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Reinhart, Brad (June 15, 2024). "Two-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Miami, Florida. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ NOAA, Weather Prediction Center (June 11, 2024). "Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 422". www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ NOAA, Weather Prediction Center (June 11, 2024). "Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 424". www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Frisaro, Freida; Spencer, Terry; Kozin, Daniel (June 13, 2024). "Tropical rainstorms in South Florida lead to flight delays and streets jammed with stalled cars". AP News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Deliso, Meredith; Griffin, Melissa; Golembo, Max (June 13, 2024). "DeSantis declares state of emergency as more than 25 inches of rain slam South Florida". ABC News. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Anderson, Curt; Frisaro, Freida (June 13, 2024). "After rare flash flood emergency, Florida prepares for more heavy rainfall in coming days". AP News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Huriash, Lisa J.; Moolten, Shira; Bryan, Susannah; Lyons, David; Ballard, Victoria (June 12, 2024). "'Life-threatening' flash flooding and heavy rain batter South Florida again". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Cann, Christopher (June 14, 2024). "South Florida under flood watch ahead of more rain; storms cause delays in the Northeast". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c Milberg, Glenna; Andrea, Torres (June 16, 2024). "Emergency management directors talk about recent flooding in South Florida". WPLG. Pembroke Park, Florida. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ "Northwest Bahamas under flood watch, excessive rain expected". Eye Witness News. June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Trujillo, Briana; Phillips, Ryan (June 13, 2024). "Closures, travel impacts: Flood risk continues after more than a foot of rain soaks parts of South Florida". NBC 6 South Florida. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Wolfe, Elizabeth; Shackelford, Robert; Gilbert, Mary; Galgano, Taylor (June 13, 2024). "'Catastrophic flash flooding possible' with a lot more rain incoming to still-flooded South Florida". CNN. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Cappucci, Matthew (June 13, 2024). "How much rain fell in Florida? Is there more coming?". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Marchante, Michelle; Harris, Alex (June 15, 2024). "How many homes and cars were damaged by the floods in South Florida? Take a look". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Lisciandrello, Carl (June 12, 2024). "Sarasota is recovering from a 'thousand-year storm' that flooded roads and stranded drivers". WUSF (FM). Retrieved August 24, 2025.
- ^ a b Wile, Rob; Hamacher, Brian; Helsel, Phil; Smith, Patrick; Li, Daniel K. (June 13, 2024). "South Florida residents told to steer clear of 'life-threatening' flooding". NBC News. Miami, Florida. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Czachor, Emily Mae (June 14, 2024). "Maps and photos show massive rainfall in Florida as flooded communities face ongoing downpours". CBS News. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Harris, Alex; Claire, Grunwood; Hanks, Douglas; Habersham, Raisa (June 14, 2024). "'It needs to stop': Another night of rain could tip South Florida neighborhoods over the edge". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Papaycik, Matt (June 20, 2024). "A week after punishing EF1 tornado hit Hobe Sound, here's how repairs are coming". West Palm Beach, Florida: WPTV-TV. Retrieved June 20, 2024.