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Weather alert: Flash flood warning issued for south Broward as thunderstorm looms overhead

DAVID J. NEAL/dneal@miamiherald.com

A strong thunderstorm has parked itself overhead several south Broward County cities triggering a flash-flood warning. Several inches of rain are forecast to come down and residents are being told to move to high ground.

A flood advisory was initially issued for Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Davie, Cooper City and surrounding neighborhoods. Around 6 p.m., it was upgraded to a flash-flood warning that will last until 8 p.m.

Forecasters say the upgrade was due to the thunderstorm remaining stationary, bringing down heavy rain over the affected areas.

Between 2 and 3 inches of rain have fallen, with an expected 1 to 2 inches coming down in the next hour. Flash flooding is already occurring or forecast to begin shortly.

Small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas could see flash flooding.

In Miami-Dade County, a flood advisory was issued for northern cities and neighborhoods that will last until 9:15 p.m. The areas affected are Miami Gardens, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-Locka, Golden Glades and Ives Estates.

Forecasters say as of 7:15 p.m., thunderstorms brought down heavy rains that triggered minor flooding. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen in the advisory area, with an additional 1 to 2 inches expected.

This additional rain will allow the minor flooding to persist.

Scorching, stormy week ahead

South Florida and the Keys saw stormy afternoons for most of the past week due to an upper-level system that will continue to move through the weekend.

Typical summer rainy afternoons are still on the forecast for the coming days — storm chances between 30% to 40% from Sunday through Thursday in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas.

Forecasters are also expecting temperatures to kick up to highs in the lower 90s for most of next week in the Miami area.

Heat index values, which calculates how the temperature feels, will be around 100 degrees each day and may approach 105, forecasters said.