Fort Lauderdale airport, schools closed after massive rainfall<br />A flash flood emergency was issued Wednesday night in Broward County, Florida, after some areas got more than a foot of rain.<br />Heavy rains prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood emergency for Broward County, Florida, after storms dumped more than a foot of rain on some areas of South Florida.<br /><br />The emergency was later replaced with a flood warning through Thursday morning.<br /><br />"Even though the rain has ended, numerous roads remain closed," the NWS warned early Thursday. "Please heed any instructions from local officials, and please don't ignore any road closed signs."<br /><br />Thunderstorms produced heavy rain in and around Fort Lauderdale for much of Wednesday afternoon and evening.<br /><br />SEE MORE: The US leads the world in weather catastrophes. Here's why<br /><br />All public schools in Broward County are closed Thursday<br />The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport experienced substantial flooding and was expected to remain closed until at least noon Thursday. The airport's upper-level departures roadway reopened around 3 a.m. Thursday to allow drivers to pick up their family and friends who are still stuck. The lower-level arrivals road remains closed<br />Some areas of Broward County near the airport received an estimated 14 inches of rain on Wednesday.<br /><br />The NWS said Wednesday night that "life-threatening flash flooding" was possible in low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.<br /><br />The Fort Lauderdale Fire Department urged drivers to stay off the road.<br /><br />This article was written by Scott Sutton and Matt Papaycik for Scripps News West Palm Beach.<br />Fort Lauderdale
