South Florida prepares for Tropical Storm Debby. Here's what to expect in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties
MIAMI — South Florida is doing what it can to help its residents prepare for whatever bad weather might head their way from Tropical Storm Debby.
A hurricane watch and tropical storm warnings have been issued for parts of Florida as the system progresses toward the state.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the system was about 100 miles west-southwest of Key West on Saturday evening. It was moving to the west-northwest at 15 mph with sustained winds of 40 mph.
The system is forecast to slow down and turn to the northwest late Saturday. It will then take a turn to the north on Sunday. On the forecast track, the disturbance is expected to move near or over the west coast of Florida Saturday night through Sunday night.
Cities across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are implementing various plans and precautions ahead of the tropical system.
Miami-Dade
Residents around Miami-Dade County told CBS News Miami they are taking steps to prepare themselves for the weekend weather and excessive rainfall expected.
At the fleet maintenance building for the City of North Miami Beach, residents were allowed to receive four free sandbags per household as long as they had valid IDs.
"I have never had sandbags before but I don't want to get flooded and I don't want to have to get flood insurance. I can barely afford my home insurance," said Loreen Hackman of North Miami Beach.
"My patio and home has flooded before so I need to get these sandbags to alleviate any problems," Diane Doolity said.
"We have had one or two occasions where there has been flooding in our living room. I am concerned but not worried," John Hamer said. "We will see what happens."
In Miami Beach, officials opened public parking garages at 6 p.m. on Friday for resident and employees of local businesses to help them avoid flood-prone areas. They will remain open until 10 a.m. Monday. Proof of residency or employment when using the parking garage is required. Meanwhile, non-residents may use any available city parking garage, but standard rates still apply.
The following garages will be available:
- 200 7th St.
- 512 12th St.
- 1301 Collins Ave.
- 1557 Washington Ave.
- 640 17th St.
- 1661 Pennsylvania Ave.
- 1900 Bay Rd.
- 340 23rd St.
- 400 W. 42nd St.
The garages at the Miami Beach Convention Center, 5th Street and Alton Road (550 Lenox Ave.) and City Hall are not included, Miami Beach officials noted.
The City of Miami Beach will also host a free sandbag distribution event on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at two surface parking lot locations: 2100 Collins Ave. (east of Collins Park) and 225 79th St. Sandbags will be pre-filled and limited to four per household. Residents will be required to show proof of residency with either their IDs or utility bills.
In anticipation of the potential heavy rain, Miami Beach has also cleaned up its entire storm drain system, including pump stations, as the city's public works team prepared for the severe weather. Temporary pumps have also been deployed to low-lying areas and vacuum trucks are also prepared to assist with removing floodwaters.
In Little Havana, Steve Ignacio showed CBS News Miami how he had to bale water out of his car during the last flooding in Miami-Dade during the week of June 10.
"We did not anticipate this flooding and this was historic flooding where it came up to my knee," he said. "I lost my 2018 Toyota and as you can see some people already have sandbags."
"Before flooding occurs, you should check your local municipality to see if they are giving out sand bags and before the flooding, it is important to safeguard your home and make sure you have flood insurance and review your policy to make sure you are protected," said Erika Benitez of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
"It's also important to make sure you have a plan in the event of flooding and that includes making sure you have supplies like non-perishable food and cleaning supplies and several days of water," she added. "And store all your documents in waterproof containers and make sure you check your gutters to ensure they are free of debris and we recommend you elevate household items to higher ground like washers and dryers that can be damaged by water."
Coincidentally, the water management division of Miami-Dade's Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources is involved in improving maintenance technology in 200 miles of canals and that will preserve drainage flow and remove harmful flood debris.
"The innovation us that we are using mechanical harvesting to be able to restore the canals. And we are also converting almost 50 miles of canals that have chemical treatment to mechanical harvesting," said Division Chief Marina Blanco-Pape. "This will help flood containment as well as water quality improvement."
Broward
Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and Lauderhill are giving away sandbags. It's B.Y.O.S. — bring your own shovel — as residents fill up sacks ahead of possible heavy rain and flooding.
"It's the first time I've ever done anything like this and slow and steady wins the race. I have my little back belt and I have a hat and some ice in the car in case I need it," said Heather Pidal.
Pidal and Gal Zenati are getting sand in Fort Lauderdale for some properties they manage in low-lying areas.
"That's what it's about, really, if you can be proactive, you're saving yourself a lot of money and headache clearly," Zenati said. "Otherwise, you're probably gonna be flooded."
In many cities, public works crews are out in force by using vacuum trucks to make sure catch basins are clear and free of debris.
Meanwhile, the South Florida Water Management District is lowering canal levels to make room for more rainwater runoff. The hope in all of this is to minimize the risk of flooded homes and roads.
"We also have people on standby in case that the rain becomes an issue and we have to shut down streets, direct traffic, that kind of stuff," said Hallandale Beach Police Capt. Raul Rivera
He also warned drivers not to try to plow through flooded streets.
"If you're not sure you can get through a street turn around," he said. "A lot of times, people are driving to streets [and] they see a truck go through and they're like, "Oh, I can make it," and then lo vehicle and that's where they get stranded."
On Friday afternoon, Hollywood waived the parking fees for residents for city-operated downtown garages, from 8 p.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Sunday. Proof of residency is required and this is for people who are concerned their cars could get damaged in flood water.
The two garages are the Van Buren Garage at 251 S 20th Ave and the Radius Garage at 251 N 19th Ave. This does not include the two city garages on the beach.
Hollywood residents can pick up empty sandbags at the Parks & Rec office at 1405 S. 28th Ave. They can fill those bags from piles at Jefferson Park, Rotary Park or the Driftwood Community Center.
Fort Lauderdale residents can get free sand at Floyd Hull Stadium/Morton Center at 2800 SW 8th Ave or Mills Pond Park. Staffed distribution is on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Self-service is daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You must bring your own bags and shovels.