Miami Beach FL - June 6, 2009 --- Friday’s severe storms wrought havoc in Miami Beach. With an abundance of ferocious lightening, high winds, and torrential rainfall- with a little bit of GOLF BALL sized hail thrown in the mix (very rare to see) - the roads leading into South Beach were nearly a parking lot.

At around 2:30pm Friday severe storms formed from North Miami Beach to Coral Gables. The storms moved south and the worst parked itself on top of South Beach dropping an estimated 8-12” of rain in about three and a half hours. Streets in Miami Beach quickly became impassible with flood waters rising over the hoods of cars. With cars stalling in the high waters, motorist took to their feet for an escape leaving their vehicles to fend for themselves. It looked as though South Beach had sunk because nearly everywhere you looked it was under water.  Parking lots, stores, and homes were flooded unlike many had ever seen in the past.

The worst of the storm pelted Miami Beach just as the afternoon rush-hour began, which with high tide also beginning only made matters worse. MacArthur Causeway was eventually shut down since the intersection of 5^th Street and Alton was two feet or more of water. Tow trucks worked tirelessly to help stranded motorist and remove abandoned vehicles from the middle of the roads; Sometimes taking two cars at once.

By around 8pm, the skies had cleared and all that was left was what could only be described as “A Mess”. It was nearly 1am before the southern end of Alton Road and West Ave had cleared yet 14^th Street and Bay road still lay under water until waters receded in the early morning hours.

14th Street

As the sun rose to baby blue skies on saturday, the cleanup began. Unfortunately storms are forecasted again today and with the ground already saturated, would result in flooding once again.