A Flash Flood Emergency has been declared in Fort Lauderdale, South Florida due to a once-in-a-half-century rainfall event. Around 10-14 inches of rain have fallen across the area, causing widespread flooding, the closure of the city's airport, the shuttering of schools and the suspension of high-speed commuter rail service. Mayor Dean Trantalis has urged residents to take the necessary precautions to stay safe and to follow the advice of local authorities, while the National Weather Service has warned that the flooding could worsen. Public Works staff are working to mitigate the water as quickly as possible.