FORT LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - The heavy rain and severe storms that rolled through South Florida caused flooding near the entrances and exits of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, creating widespread gridlock for travelers.
7News cameras captured heavy congestion along Perimeter Road and Federal Highway, disrupting travel to passenger terminals.
Bumper-to-bumper traffic blocked airport access ramps, leaving motorists unable to move. Due to the severe gridlock, some passengers exited their vehicles and walked along Perimeter Road and up access ramps with their luggage to reach terminal buildings.
Airport officials say flooding and standing water around the entrance and exits played a significant factor in causing the immense backup.
“I thought I would be here three or four hours early and then got here right as the boarding was right in the middle and just didn’t make the flight,” said traveler Jason Isaacson.
Travelers hoping that flight crews would hold off on departure to allow some additional time for those caught in the rain-induced traffic were met with the unfortunate news of finding they’d missed their flight.
“I was thinking this has to be an empty flight so they have to hold up the flight and I got here and they said the doors were closed,” said traveler Christina Chisholm.
Some who had missed their flight due to the extreme traffic problems had to scramble to make a new plan.
“We did miss our flight. They’re saying that we might not be able to leave until tomorrow now so we’re trying to see what we can do,” said traveler Raul Solis.
“Tomorrow morning, 6 a.m. to Boston, booked that. I think I’m going to stay here and just wait it out,” said Isaacson.
A photo obtained by 7News showed long lines of cars trying to exit the airport’s parking garage.
Solis said it took him an absurd amount of time just to get out of the garage.
“Just the garage itself, probably like an hour-and-a-half honestly. It was crazy,” said Solis.
One of those drivers, Mike Moore, spoke with 7News over the phone as he waited in line to leave the garage.
“Right now we are stuck on the eighth floor of the garage. There’s about 200-300 cars in the line and we’re not going anywhere,” said Moore. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Air travel was also affected by the storm system. According to FlightAware, the airport experienced flight delays of more than one hour on Friday afternoon.
Officials advised people picking up or dropping off passengers to call their airlines to check flight status before heading to the airport.
The airport wasn’t the only area impacted by heavy rain. Drivers all across Broward had to push through flooded streets in the afternoon.
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