South Florida to experience heavy rainfall through weekend

DAVIE, FLA. (WSVN) - Get ready for a weekend wash out.

The National Weather Service has forecasted heavy rainfall to continue through the weekend.

Thursday has already seen several flood advisories. Though none were currently active as of 7 p.m. rain has persisted.

The parking lot at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise looked like a lake, as cars carefully maneuvered for spots that were not under water.

The heavy downpour has flooded the Sunshine Village mobile home park in Davie with up to three inches of water.

“Welcome to our world. It’s beautiful here until it rains. Then we get problems,” said resident Leona Colarusso.

The rainfall has lasted for hours, creating a dangerous drive and in some cases even trapping residents.

“Last year, I couldn’t get my car out to go to work. I don’t know if that’s going to happen again. Hopefully it doesn’t,” said Colarusso.

“I have a grandson that I have to pick up from work and take to work,” said resident Bonnie Issachson. “It’s hard because I have to go through the water to get out and you gotta find your way around.”

Davie Police have since shut down access along Southwest 133rd Avenue and Fifth Court to avoid the risk of any injuries from the flooding. As of 10 p.m., the roadway remains closed.

Police urge motorists to avoid the area.

As drenched residents continue to battle the water, they’re hoping relief comes soon.

“A bunch of water hitting my house. It pulls the skirting off. The cars go by here and make waves. They don’t slow down,” said Issachson.

Rising waters are complicating drivers’ commutes. Some cars even stalled in flood waters that continue to rise around them.

“I can’t shop. I can’t run my errands. It has put everything to a halt today,” said resident Brenda Jean Baptiste. “I had a couple of doctor appointments. Due to the weather, I had to cancel them. It’s just not a good day today.”

Frustrations are high for pedestrians and motorists as they battle the rain.

“I see all kinds of rain coming down, and I see people frustrated and people cutting people off, so it’s annoying,” said resident Linda Allbriton.

“Actually, I woke up, and I heard all of the thunder and the lightning, and I was like, ‘ugh,'” said resident Anastacia Wilson. “I was like, ‘Oh, man. There goes my day, pretty much.'”

Over in Miami, heavy rains also caused a headache near Jackson Memorial Hospital.

The heavy downpour is also causing issues in the air.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has reported 66 delays in departures and 50 delays in arrivals.

People are advised to check if their flight has been affected.

Forecasters expect “above normal rain chances” to continue through as late as Wednesday with thunderstorms that could even produce hail.

Lightning is the main concern, however, especially after a woman lost her life to a lightning strike in Parkland on Wednesday.

High winds that produced gusts as high as 30 mph Thursday could also continue and might even produce funnel clouds, weak tornadoes and out at sea, waterspouts.

There have been no reports of any injuries.

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