STORM2K

MIAMI ...Sat Nov 8th 2003-- Nearly five inches of rain fell over parts of South Florida in a 90-minute span Saturday afternoon, flooding streets and some homes, delaying flights and causing other mild problems.

The National Weather Service in Miami posted flood warnings for parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. A small stream flood advisory was also posted for Fort Lauderdale and its surrounding areas.

Weather spotters in Hialeah reported 4.52 inches of rain falling between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Miami International Airport saw 4.01inches.

Hialeah Gardens police said as much as two inches of standing water rushed into some homes late Saturday afternoon. Some street flooding in the area was also reported.

No serious injuries were immediately linked to the downpours.

At least 50 flights into and out of Miami International Airport were delayed because of lightning and the heavy rain, officials said. No flights were canceled because of the weather.

Heavy rains also forced the cancellation of the 12th and final horse race on Saturday's card at Calder Race Course. Racing was delayed for 30 minutes Saturday afternoon at the peak of the storm, then resumed -- but track officials later canceled the day's finale because of excessive lightning.

Forecasters said thunderstorm activity would continue throughout Saturday night, with some downpours expected to have the potential to bring at least another inch of rain and cause more isolated flooding. (AP)

-justin-

The Miami metropolitan area, around Pro Players Stadium had isolated showers (and thunderstorms) the afternoon of Sunday, July 20th during a Florida Marlins game and then again during one of the World Series games.

Looking at the radar during each game, there was a fairly good chance that the sun may have been out during the July game; and the starts may have been out during the game, last month not too many miles from the stadium.

ANOTHER REPORT ON THE RAINSTORMS IN SOUTH FLORIDA
from the Sun-Sentinel
Sun Nov 9th

Three hours of tropical thunderstorms flooded South Florida with frustration on Saturday, washing out carnivals and causing flight delays and highway accidents in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

Fort Lauderdale, Miramar and Hialeah took the brunt of the storms, which caused power outages for about 2,500 residents across the tri-county area, Florida Power & Light reported.

Milder thunderstorms and scattered showers are expected today, said Miami National Weather Service meteorologist Eric Christensen.

The 3-inch downpour on Saturday did a number on fun and games in Fort Lauderdale, where fire rescue officers had to literally pull the plug on the city's 44th annual Promenade in the Park when water levels rose above cables powering many of the rides.

"We tried to use a portable pump, but it was in vain," said Fort Lauderdale Division Chief Stephen McInerny. "We had to shut them down at 5 p.m."

The event was scheduled to end at 11 p.m., said Promenade spokeswoman Susan Holden. "A lot of our booths were in water, and we were up to our ankles," said Holden. "We had to zip up a lot of the tents about 3 p.m."

Holden said she is counting on a sunnier forecast, adding that Promenade in the Park organizers would open an hour early today at 10 a.m. to make up for lost time. The Saturday night crowd usually draws half of the funds collected to benefit Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, she said.

"This had a tremendous impact on our bottom line."

Hollywoodfestivities were lost in the Saturday drench as well. The city's fire rescue team had to shut down the annual St. Maurice Catholic Church Country Fair.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue personnel spent most of the day responding to power line problems and about 24 highway accidents that sent six people to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

"People were mostly losing control of their vehicles," said McInerny. "We had a lot of skidding, facing the wrong way and hitting walls on I-95."

Those traveling in the air felt milder effects of the douse.

Both Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Miami-Dade International airports experienced a handful of flight delays due to severe weather, but nothing unusual.

Two Miami arrivals were diverted to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, said spokesman Steve Belleme. Miami rerouted one flight to Palm Beach International Airport, said spokeswoman Cynthia Paul.


-justin-