Miami, Fort Lauderdale airports see hours-long delays as heavy rain swamps the region

Michael Cartwright, Devoun Cetoute, Vinod Sreeharsha, Milena Malaver

June 12, 2024 at 3:56 p.m.·2 min read

Flights at major South Florida airports are seeing hours-long delays as heavy rains continue battering the region Wednesday, triggering a steady stream of flood warnings.

As of 4:50 p.m. at Miami International Airport, 221 flights were canceled and 165 flights were delayed, which is 53% of all flights at the airport Wednesday, said Greg Chin, communications director for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department.

In Broward County, thunderstorms have dropped 2 to 5 inches of rain, which has led to flash flooding that forced the Florida Highway Patrol to shut down parts of Interstate 95.

Many flights are canceled and delayed at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport due to heavy downpours across South Florida on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, as of 2:25 p.m., there were 154 flights canceled: 78 arrivals and 76 departures.

Destinations impacted include Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport according to Arlene Satchell, a public information officer with the Broward County Aviation Department.

FLL had 70 delayed flights on Wednesday, 30 arrivals and 40 departures. Impacted places include Boston, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Medellin, and Cap-Haïtien International Airport in Haiti.

The airport is within a flash flood warning zone. While the bad weather was likely the major cause of the disruption at FLL, other factors like airline operational issues or federal air space air traffic management initiatives may have contributed, according to Satchell.

She urged anyone traveling to FLL to check with their airline for the most up-to- date information before coming to the airport.

FlightAware reported that inbound flights are delayed at their origin for an average of 7 hours and held until 4 p.m. Departures are postponed by about three hours. At least 51 flights were canceled in the last 24 hours.

The airport posted on X that heavy rainfall is impacting flight schedules.

“If you’re traveling today or picking up/dropping off, check with the airline for the latest flight status,” the airport said. “There are delays, cancellations and standing water on the airport and neighboring roadways.”

Northern Miami-Dade has seen between 3 and 5 inches of rainfall, with more on the way. Parts of the county are also under a flash flood warning.

For FAA traffic management initiatives relating to weather conditions in South Florida, travelers should visit this site: https://nasstatus.faa.gov/

Travelers stranded at MIA

James Rodriguez and his wife, Diana, flew to Miami from New York City, where they live. They’ve been here since Wednesday and were going to fly to Cancun for vacation. Now, they couple is stuck in South Florida since their flight is canceled until Saturday.

In the morning, Chin said most flights had to hold for about two hours due to lightning storms.

Moreover, reaching MIA by car is proving difficult. Low-lying entrances to MIA on LeJeune Road and Perimeter Road are currently inundated, added the MIA official.

Elizabeth Larreal, who works at the airport, told the Miami Herald there were massive lines to rebook tickets Wednesday evening.

James Rodriguez talks with his wife, Diana, after their flight to Cancun was canceled at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport due to heavy downpours across South Florida on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Miami Herald reporter Clare Grunewald contributed to this report.

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Travelers stranded at MIA

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