Flooding, gusty winds forecast for Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach. Secure holiday trim

Omar Rodríguez Ortiz, Devoun Cetoute
·3 min read
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The National Weather Service in Miami issued a flood watch Wednesday for large parts of South Florida while forecasters warned gusty winds plaguing the region over the next several days could blow away your holiday decorations.

Flooding is possible in the coastal and metropolitan areas of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties through Thursday evening.

Periods of heavy rain will likely start Wednesday morning and continue through Thursday evening at the very least, the weather agency said. Rain totals of 2-4 inches with locally higher amounts of up to 6 inches are possible through Saturday morning.

Forecasters are asking the public to be on alert for possible flood warnings.

“High rainfall rates along with repeated bouts of rainfall may result in flooding in urban and poor drainage areas,” the weather agency said. “Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.”

Despite the rainy weather condition, a shopper makes use of an umbrella as she heads to her car after shopping at Walmart in Pembroke Pines, Florida on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
Despite the rainy weather condition, a shopper makes use of an umbrella as she heads to her car after shopping at Walmart in Pembroke Pines, Florida on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

Hold on to your holiday decorations

Forecasters are recommending that you either tie down outdoor holiday decorations or bring them inside.

Gusty winds are expected for the next several days with gusts of 40 mph or more along South Florida’s east coast, the weather agency said.

A wind advisory is in effect for coastal Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties until Saturday.

Despite the rainy weather condition, a shopper makes use of an umbrella as she heads to her car after shopping at Walmart in Pembroke Pines, Florida on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
Despite the rainy weather condition, a shopper makes use of an umbrella as she heads to her car after shopping at Walmart in Pembroke Pines, Florida on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

What else should I know?

Here’s a list of additional weather hazards keeping South Florida forecasters on alert:

▪ High surf: Large breaking waves that could result in life-threatening swimming and significant beach erosion are possible through at least Saturday. A high surf advisory is in effect for coastal Broward and Palm Beach counties until 7 a.m. Saturday.

▪ Rip currents: There is a high risk of hazardous rip currents through Sunday. Swimming is not recommended. A high rip current risk is in effect for coastal Broward and Palm Beach counties through Saturday morning.

A surfer rides a wave during bad weather on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in South Miami Beach.
A surfer rides a wave during bad weather on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in South Miami Beach.

▪ Coastal flooding: The chances of coastal flooding during times of high tide are expected to increase from Thursday to Saturday.

▪ Gale warning: A gale warning is in effect in coastal South Florida until 7 a.m. Saturday with 30 to 40-knot northeast winds and gusts up to 45 knots. Seas 10 to 15 feet are possible. “Boaters should remain in port,” the weather agency said. An elevated marine hazard risk is forecast to continue through Monday.

In preparation for the inclement weather, Hollywood announced that parking fees will be waived to residents at all city-operated garages through 8 p.m. Saturday. The city also installed reusable water-filled flood barriers near the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.

Hollywood Florida, December 13, 2023 - Workers for the City of Hollywood install a Tiger Dam at the Buchanan street entrance to Hollywood Beach. Due inclement weather, Tiger Dams have been installed on the sandy beach around the bandshell area at Johnson Street, and 3 knee wall openings to the north and 3 to the south of the band shell. Tiger Dams are a reusable water filled flood barriers that have a lifespan of 17-20 years. They come in 50ft lengths or the length can be customized. The sections can be interlocked to join together to form a seamless barrier miles long. They can be stacked to go as high as needed. The ones purchased by the City are 24” tall, and were deployed in one layer, not stacked. The Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) received Commission approval for the purchase at the September 6th meeting in the amount of $216,000. Delivery was just received and this is their first deployment.

What about the Florida Keys?

Rain, gusty winds and marine hazards are also forecast to impact the Florida Keys.

Periods of rain are likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Key West.

Expect a breezy Wednesday with 15 to 20 mph northeast winds and a 70% chance of rain with highs in the mid to upper 70s.

A man takes a photo of surfers and the waves during bad weather on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in South Miami Beach.
A man takes a photo of surfers and the waves during bad weather on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in South Miami Beach.

A gale watch is in effect throughout the Keys from Thursday afternoon through Friday evening. A small craft advisory was also in effect for all coastal waters as of Wednesday morning

“Be sure to secure holiday decorations ahead of the upcoming windy conditions!” the weather agency said.