Flood Alerts Issued in Palm Beach County Amid Heavy Rain and Winds

South Florida is bracing for coastal hazards and heavy rainfall this week. High surf, rip currents, and multiple marine warnings threaten shorelines.

Marine and wind hazards

Small craft advisories and a gale warning are in effect for waters off Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade. Rip current statements accompany the marine alerts.

Wind advisories cover counties from Martin through Duval. Forecasts call for sustained winds near 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph into Thursday, April 9.

Rainfall totals and flooding

Widespread showers could produce up to 7 inches along parts of the east coast from the Keys through the Space Coast. AccuWeather’s StormMax forecast shows isolated pockets possibly receiving as much as 12 inches.

Authorities issued flood alerts in Palm Beach County as heavy rain and winds lashed the shoreline. Flood warnings were triggered after thunderstorms produced localized downpours.

Measured rainfall included about 2.1 inches in West Palm Beach between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7. Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport recorded 0.72 inches during the same interval.

Miami-area forecasters noted widespread 3 to 4 inch totals with coastal bullseyes of more than 6 inches for Tuesday alone. These pockets could lead to rapid urban and creek flooding.

Weather pattern, drought and fire risk

The subtropical jet stream is currently draped from the U.S.-Mexico border into the Gulf. Two energetic pulses are forecast to ride that jet and tap moisture near the surface.

While the rain will ease drought in some areas, much of the Panhandle is likely to remain dry. Northern central Panhandle counties are still classified in exceptional drought.

Statewide, 79.5% of Florida is in extreme or exceptional drought, according to recent monitoring. Meanwhile, red flag fire warnings stretched from Seaside to Tallahassee on Tuesday.

Low humidities fell below 30% and winds gusted to about 30 mph where those fire warnings were posted. Meteorologists expect the front to be pushed away early Friday, April 10, as high pressure builds eastward.

Historic comparison and government actions

Forecasters compared the setup to April 2023 storms that dropped roughly 25 inches over parts of Fort Lauderdale. That event shut the airport, flooded roads, caused outages and forced emergency rescues.

Following that 2023 flooding, the governor issued a major disaster declaration for Broward County. The presidential administration approved that declaration.

AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham warned the pattern can be highly variable. He noted the rain will help drought but may overwhelm some neighborhoods briefly.

This report uses National Weather Service and AccuWeather forecasts and statements. Reported by Kimberly Miller for Filmogaz.com.