South Florida floods: Fort Lauderdale Airport closed as region sees more than two feet of rain
South Florida has been hit with more than two feet of rain causing floods and severe disruption to the region.
It’s an “unprecedented amount” of rainfall for the area according to Miami meteorologist Shawn Bhatti, who added that the total precipitation within the six-hour period was a “one in 1,000 chance” event in a year.
The rain was at its heaviest on Wednesday in Broward County, southeast Florida, and measured up to 25in on some gauges.
Fort Lauderdale issued a state of emergency, and its Hollywood International Airport will remain closed until Friday morning due to the scale of debris and excess water. Its City Hall is also shut, flooded and without power.
Pic: AP
Pic: AP
Roads were swamped as one witness said he saw abandoned cars “floating like boats” in the Fort Lauderdale streets.
Pic: AP
A video emerged of a man swimming to the kerb as vehicles drifted by.
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Man swims in Florida floods
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Some schools became inaccessible due to the floods and those in Broward County were forced to cancel classes today as the deluge had entered hallways and classrooms the day before.
Toni Barnes, director of emergency management of Broward Schools said: “Staff members attempting to leave campuses – they were unable – they were trapped in their cars.
“We had to call fire rescue to assist our parents out of their cars to get them into the school because they were trapped.”
Rescue operations took place through the night, though there haven’t been any reports of injuries or deaths as of yet.
Meanwhile, the Red Cross has been providing those affected with blankets and refreshments as crews continue to drain the city of water.
The National Weather Service has forecast more showers and thunderstorms in the area tonight, which could continue into Friday.
The United States and European Union have agreed a trade deal, says Donald Trump.
The announcement was made as the US president met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at one of his golf resorts in Scotland.
Speaking after talks in Turnberry, Mr Trump said the EU deal was the “biggest deal ever made” and it will be “great for cars”.
The US will impose 15% tariffs on EU goods into America, after Mr Trump had threatened a 30% levy.
He said there will be an EU investment of $600bn in the US, the bloc will buy $750bn in US energy and will also purchase US military equipment.
Mr Trump had earlier said the main sticking point was “fairness”, citing barriers to US exports of cars and agriculture.
He went into the talks demanding fairer trade with the 27-member EU and threatening steep tariffs to achieve that, while insisting the US will not go below 15% import taxes.
For months, Mr Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in the hope of shrinking major US trade deficits with many key trading partners, including the EU.
Ms von der Leyen said the agreement would include 15% tariffs across the board, saying it would help rebalance trade between the two large trading partners.
In case there was no deal and the US had imposed 30% tariffs from 1 August, the EU has prepared counter-tariffs on €93bn (£81bn) of US goods.
Ahead of their meeting on Sunday, Ms von der Leyen described Mr Trump as a “tough negotiator and dealmaker”.
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At least 11 people have been stabbed at a Walmart supermarket in Michigan, with six in a critical condition.
Officials say a suspect is in custody – and at this stage, it is believed the attack was a “random act” that involved a folding-style knife near the checkout area.
Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters: “Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more.”
Pic: AP
The suspect, who is from Michigan, is not known to police – and was captured within three minutes thanks to “citizen involvement”.
The attack unfolded in Traverse City – and Tiffany DeFell, who was in the car park at the time, described scenes of chaos.
“It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said. “This is something you see out of the movies.”
Beyond the six people in a critical condition, it is believed the remaining five were seriously hurt. All 11 are still being treated in hospital.
Pic: AP
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.”
A Walmart spokesperson added that the retailer is working closely with law enforcement.
“Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” a statement said.
Pic: AP
At this stage, the ages of the victims is unclear – but it is not thought any of the victims were Walmart employees.
Traverse City is about 255 miles northwest of Detroit.
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