Broward schools closed Thursday after downpour causes severe flooding in South Florida

Broward County Public Schools are closed Thursday, a day after severe flooding swamped South Florida.

“Due to inclement weather, all Broward County Public Schools and District offices will be closed on Thursday, April 13, 2023,” the school district said late Wednesday.

All after-school activities, events and extracurricular activities have also been canceled. It was not immediately clear whether schools will reopen Friday.

Miami-Dade and Keys schools planned to open on Thursday.

The announcement follows several Broward cities being placed under a flash flood emergency — what is considered to be a life-threatening situation, the National Weather Service said. A flood warning is in effect in the Fort Lauderdale area until 4 p.m. Thursday.

READ MORE: Live weather updates: Flash flood emergency in Broward. Officials urge to stay inside

Over 200,000 Broward residents were advised to immediately move to higher ground and avoid walking or driving through flood waters.

A Fedex truck on flooded West Perimeter Road in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
A Fedex truck on flooded West Perimeter Road in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

And on the traveling front, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport shut down Wednesday afternoon after seeing extreme flooding. More than 20 inches of rain fell in six hours in an area just east of the region’s largest airport.

The airport is expected to reopen at 5 a.m. Friday.

READ MORE: Fort Lauderdale airport to reopen Friday morning; floods trap travelers for hours