With South Florida experiencing extreme weather conditions, Governor Ron DeSantis took decisive action by issuing a state of emergency for Miami-Dade, Broward, and multiple other counties on Wednesday. Torrential rains have brought exceptional flooding, leading to flash flood warnings and inundated infrastructure. As reported by NBC Miami, the flooding has compromised "critical infrastructure," including the interruption of normal operations at airports and schools, as well as major roads throughout the affected counties.

Caught in the deluge, Miami International and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airports underwent ground stops, which have delayed travelers for hours. "We were looking at renting a vehicle to try and make it even to Orlando and maybe get on a flight but that isn't going to work either," Chris Stephens, a traveler enduring the chaos, told CBS Miami on Tuesday. Continuous downpours have left roads submerged, causing snarled traffic and endangering the well-being of residents.

Mayors of Miami-Dade County and Fort Lauderdale, alongside local officials of Dania Beach and Sunny Isles Beach, also declared states of emergency to address the looming crisis. Dealing with the floodwaters that continue to rise, cities are mobilizing pumps in areas where they are much needed. The extent of the calamity was further explained when Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis spoke about water levels on major thoroughfares like Broward Boulevard, as reported by CBS Miami.

Flooding wasn't biased, reaching inside the homes of power as well. With major interstates like part of I-95 shuttered, Broward County watched helplessly as the water rose. Rescue efforts in Dania Beach resulted in at least 40 people being rescued by police and fire crews, as shared by CBS Miami. Power outages are sweeping across the counties, with Florida Power & Light reporting significant numbers of customers without electricity.

Despite the immediate response, ongoing forecasts suggest that the region is not out of danger. An additional 4 to 8 inches of rain is possible in the coming days, continuing the flooding risk. While the tropical moisture responsible for the deluge may wane by the weekend, officials from the National Weather Service still warn about the potential for dangerous flash floods and urge residents to seek higher ground if necessary.