I-4 Shut Down Overnight Due to Flooding

Heavy rain caused closures on one of Orlando's busiest highways, but the road was back open by morning rush hour.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

One of the busiest sections of Interstate 4 in Orlando, Florida was closed overnight due to flooding caused by heavy rain, but the highway was back up and running by late Monday morning, officials said. The Florida Highway Patrol assisted with the road closures, and no evacuations were necessary.

Why it matters

I-4 is a critical transportation artery through the Orlando metro area, and any closures can cause major disruptions for commuters and travelers. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining infrastructure during extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

The details

The flooding occurred on Sunday evening near Kissimmee, with local drivers taking to social media to warn others about the road conditions. By Monday morning, all lanes had been reopened and traffic was 'flowing', according to the Florida Department of Transportation. More heavy rain is forecasted to continue through Thursday, raising the possibility of additional flooding in low-lying areas. Construction projects along the I-4 corridor may have also contributed to the localized flooding.

  • I-4 began to flood near Kissimmee on Sunday evening.
  • The highway was closed overnight into the early morning hours of Monday.
  • All lanes were reopened and traffic was flowing by the Monday morning rush hour.

The players

Tara Crescenzi

A spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol.

Cindi Lane

A spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

More heavy rain is forecasted to continue from Monday through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, raising the possibility of additional flooding in low-lying areas.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining critical transportation infrastructure during extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change. It also underscores the importance of proactive planning and coordination between state and local agencies to mitigate the impacts of severe storms on commuters and travelers.