The Great Fort Lauderdale Flood
April 12th and 13th of 2023 are dates that will be remembered by most who live in and around Fort Lauderdale, FL. In the span of 24 hours, residents saw a relentless rainfall that dumped 25 inches of rain in some areas. Experts described this rain fall as a “1-in-100-year event, or greater,” meaning it’s an event so intense the chance of it happening in any given year is just 1%. The damages caused by the storm were so devastating it caused Governor Ron DeSantis to issue a state of emergency for Broward County to provide additional resources for the residents on the ground.
With that amount of rain in a short period of time, the repercussions were far-reaching resulting in damage to local businesses, properties, and an unfortunate consequence of many boats sinking dockside. TowBoatU.S. Fort Lauderdale was inundated with distress calls throughout the day and night from boat owners who arrived home or woke up to the distressing sight of their boats sunk in their backyards and marinas.
Responding promptly to the urgency of the situation, TowBoatU.S. Fort Lauderdale swiftly mobilized multiple crews via land and water, forming a well-coordinated operation. Through a collective effort, many boats were successfully refloated in the affected area. Their teams navigated flooded streets and marinas to employ their expertise and utilize specialized techniques to refloat these sunken vessels.
As the waters receded, the community of Fort Lauderdale came together to get back on their feet. The collective efforts of companies like TowBoatU.S. Fort Lauderdale and their ability to quickly respond and provide much needed assistance were a beacon of hope amidst the devastation. Although it was an unprecedented and unexpected storm, it should be a reminder to all boat owners that regular maintenance and bilge pump checks are critical for boats that live in the water. Together, we can weather any storm that comes our way.
