Water Pressure Keeps Fort Lauderdale Airport Closed Wednesday

Oct. 26, 2005
Airport officials say the water pressure is improving, and the facility could open Thursday morning.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is still closed Wednesday because it doesn't have enough water pressure to run its sprinklers in case of a fire.

Airport officials say the water pressure is improving, and the facility could open Thursday morning. Power was restored to the airport Tuesday and all three runways are open for general aviation traffic and relief flights.

Terminal 3 -- home to American Airlines and US Airways -- has a damaged roof. Some of the walkways connecting the parking garages to the terminals are damaged, though still safe. And when the airport reopens, there will likely be garbage bags over the water fountains because Broward County is under a boil-water alert.

Airport officials also don't know how the county's curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. will affect flights.

''We're not sure what we'll do if we have a flight arriving at 6:40 p.m.,'' said airport spokesman Steve Bellame.

Miami International Airport opened Tuesday afternoon with limited service.

Miami Herald

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