Slow-moving thunderstorms brought “catastrophic” flash flooding to southeast Florida on June 12, causing travel chaos.

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Wednesday afternoon, detailing that ongoing downpours had inundated major interstate and local roadways, airports, and other critical infrastructure.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said that up to 15 inches of rain had fallen in some areas on Wednesday alone. The NWS urged residents to get to higher ground and stay off roads.

Footage captured by Daniel Labaton, a resident of Aventura, in the Miami metro area, shows locals wading past abandoned vehicles in muddy knee-high floodwater.

“After over 2 hours of trying to figure out a way to get home, I realized that all the roads leading home were underwater,” Labaton told Storyful.

“I didn’t want to flood out my car, so I parked it in a place where I knew it would be safe on higher ground and walked,” he said.

“Spirits weren’t down. It was kind of a funny experience,” Labaton said. Credit: Daniel labaton via Storyful

Video Transcript

You got it one more time.

Thanks.

Every, all these cars are abandoned.

It looks like the people had to get out of their trunk right there.

Here’s some real hard right here.

Excuse my language.

Definitely need a shower.

When I got home, my house ain’t flooded.

You got it one more time.

Hm.

All right.

Every, all these cars are abandoned.

It looks like the people had to get out of their trunk right there.

Some real hard to right here.

Excuse my language.

Definitely need a shower.

I got my house ain’t flooded.