AN ACR MD80 FLC ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURB WHILE RETURNING TO THEIR RTE AFTER A WX DIVERSION. NO INJURY OR DAMAGE.

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I WAS CAPT OF THE LGA-FLL FLT. I WAS PNF. WE WERE FILED AR14-METTA AR1-HOBEE-MARLN 4-FLL. DUE TO TSTMS ALONG AR1 AT APPROX LOTUS INTXN; WE DEVIATED INLAND AND PARALLELED THE WX. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WX RADAR DID NOT DEPICT ANY SIG WX AND IT WAS BY VISUAL REF THAT WE DIVERTED OFF COURSE. PRIOR TO TURNING OFF AR1; I MADE A PA ADVISING EVERYONE TO TAKE THEIR SEATS AND CHK THE SECURITY OF THEIR SEATBELTS. WE HAD MANY KIDS ABOARD SO I FELT THE NEED TO CHK THE SECURITY OF THE KIDS' SEATBELTS. APPROX 10 MINS LATER; AFTER ATC'S SECOND REQUEST FOR US TO TURN BACK E TO THE ARR; I MADE A PA EXPLAINING TO PAX THE POSSIBILITY OF TURB AND FOR EVERYONE TO RECHK THEIR SEATBELTS AND ALSO ADVISED THAT MY CABIN ATTENDANTS WILL BE IN THEIR SEATS FOR THEIR SAFETY. WHILE STILL PARALLELING THE LINE OF TSTMS; ATC AGAIN ASKED US TO REJOIN THE ARR. I AGAIN REFUSED THE TURN. MINS LATER; WE VISUALLY SAW A HOLE IN THE WX AND ADVISED ATC WE COULD TAKE A TURN TOWARD THE ARR. JUST PRIOR TO EXITING INTO CLR BLUE SKY AT FL240 AND 275 KTS; WE ENCOUNTERED 15-20 SECONDS OF MODERATE CHOP FOLLOWED BY 3-5 SECONDS OF SEVERE TURB. CABIN CONDITION WAS ALL WELL WITH EXCEPTION OF 1 MAN AND SON WHO WENT TO LAVATORY; DESPITE MY CABIN ATTENDANT'S WARNING. THANKFULLY; NEITHER WERE HURT AND THE MAN (A DOCTOR) ADMITTED FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT BEING IN HIS SEAT WITH HIS SON. AS A PRECAUTION; I NOTIFIED FLL OPS AND ASKED FOR MEDICAL TO MEET THE ACFT. MY CABIN ATTENDANTS; ESPECIALLY #2 AND #4; DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. WE LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT AND NO INJURIES. PAX COMMENTS RANGED FROM; WOW WHAT A RIDE; TO GREAT JOB GUYS; THANKS FOR GETTING US HERE SAFELY.