Tropical Storm in Metro Broward County, Florida

The center of Tropical Storm Isaac moved over the Florida Straits south of the Florida Keys on Sunday, August 26th, passing just south of Key West. Rain bands and winds on the north side of the circulation of Isaac affected Southeast Florida throughout the day of the 26th and part of the 27th. Highest winds over land were recorded along and near the southeast Florida coast where the highest sustained winds ranged from 40-45 mph, with 25-35 mph sustained winds over most inland areas as well as over southwest Florida. Highest wind gusts ranged from 50-60 mph over most land areas to as high as 65 mph along the Atlantic coast and just offshore.

Three-day rainfall totals ending at 8 AM August 28th ranged from 5-7 inches across southeast Florida to 3-5 inches over interior and southwest Florida. The primary exception was over northern metro Broward County and much of Palm Beach County where 8 to 12 inches fell, with maximum amounts up to 15-18 inches from west of Boynton Beach to Wellington, The Acreage, Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee. These areas of highest rainfall amounts experienced severe flooding with communities cut off for several days after the storm.

Maximum storm tide values were observed at 4.9 feet at Naples, with estimates of 5 to 7 feet along the southern Collier County coast from Goodland to Everglades City. Highest estimated inundation values of up to 3 feet above ground level were noted in Goodland and Everglades City. Major beach erosion was also observed along the Collier County beaches, with moderate beach erosion along the Atlantic beaches.

All of the associated effects of Isaac in south Florida resulted in about $17.2 million in property damage. Specifically, Isaac's inland flood waters resulted in about $10 million in damages, mostly in Palm Beach and Broward counties. Flooding caused by storm tides along the coast in Collier County resulted in about $400 thousand in damage. Damage from beach erosion in Collier and Broward counties was estimated at $6 million. Wind damage was estimated at $750,000.

Approximately 113,000 customers lost power during the storm in South Florida.

Tropical Storm Isaac moved west-northwest across the Florida Straits south of the Florida Keys on August 26. The northern edge of the wind and rain area associated with Isaac affected the South Florida peninsula throughout the day on the 26th. Isaac continued on a west-northwest track into the Gulf of Mexico on the 27th with winds, rain and flooding continuing over parts of South Florida.