Relentless Rain Made For A Soggy Halloween
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Mother Nature decided to give South Florida a trick this Halloween instead of a treat.
Relentless rains from Sunday afternoon into Monday have flooded streets making the morning commute a nightmare.
It was almost midnight before crews drained more than a foot of floodwater from some Venetian Islands neighborhoods. Chad Braver said it took him 20 minutes to drive about 10 feet.
"That was route number one," Braver said, pointing down one side street, "there that was my try number two," he said pointing down a different street, "then try number three is all the way around."
The drizzle didn't dampen spirits of trick-or-treaters at Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, though many accessorized their costumes with an umbrella. Julian Carballeira said his costume and his mom's costume got soaked. "Lucky it stopped raining now," he said, "but imagine if it had ruined halloween if it starts.. look at that big cloud."
Due to the rain and flooding, Cardinal Gibbons High School in Ft. Lauderdale and Immaculata LaSalle High School canceled classes for the day. Officials say they will re-open Tuesday. Gulliver Academy and Pinecrest Middle School were also closed due to the weather. The schools will reopen Wednesday because Tuesday is a teacher work day.
The National Weather Service said as of early Monday morning, seven inches of rain fell in Miami Beach and six inches of rain was reported in Oakland Park. CBS4 meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez said on Sunday Ft. Lauderdale broke a record with 3.48 inches of rain. Severe flooding has led to slick and dangerous roads and highways where cars have stalled out and are still stranded in spots.
In Broward, Sunrise Boulevard between NW 7th Street and Powerline Road was underwater as was a section of Federal Highway in Pompano Beach. Sections of Broward Boulevard from I-95 to Andrews Avenue were also underwater. Sections of Oakland Park Boulevard also flooded around the 27th Avenue and 49th Avenue.
CBS4 viewer Gregory Smith called to say his first floor apartment in the 2100 block of Davie Boulevard is flooded up to knee level.
In the Dania Beach neighborhood of Edgewater, Sarah Livingston said she had a rude awakening.
"I woke to the sound of my dog drinking water and I turned my light on and there was a half an inch of water in my room," said Livingston.
At the Westchester Condominiums, south of Commercial Boulevard and east of Bayview Drive, rain flooded the underground parking lot and damaged approximately 100 cars.
Because of the flooding, the Red Cross has opened a shelter at Joseph C. Carter Park, located at 1500 Sunrise Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale. The shelter will have snacks, drinks and, if needed, a place to spend the night. So far, 75 people have taken advantage of the help.
Miami police said the Coconut Grove area experienced heavy flooding at SW 32nd Avenue and Oak Avenue, NW 12 Avenue and 20th Street, SE 13th Street and Brickell Bay Drive along with most of the Brickell area.
In the Grove, a gutter gave way and flood Mike Leahing's apartment.
"We approached this structure, there is a lip on the terrace outside that is approximately 15-14 inches high and there was water running over that lip. It flooded into the apartment and there is approximately 8-10 inches of water inside the apartment," said Miami Fire Rescue Lt. David Nunez.
"Damage, I don't know for sure, but I just remodeled the place. Everything is brand new, everything is destroyed, 50 to 60 grand probably, easy," said Leahing.
Coral Gables police said everything south of the city was pretty much underwater, especially in the Cocoplum area.
"If you are in the street and you are at a flooded area, do not drive through it. You cannot tell how deep that area is, you cannot tell how severe the grade, the slope, is and it is best just to avoid the situation all together because before you know it you have water up to your roof," said Miami Emergency Manager Joseph Zahralban.
A number of streets in Miami Beach were also underwater from the north end of the city to the south end.
Residents of Miami Beach's Venetian Islands needed a gondola to get around.
"I'm trapped. I'm supposed to be working. I'm supposed to be go to the Dominican Republic tomorrow morning, I don't know what I'm going to do," said Jose Eduartez whose car was submerged in flood waters.
Eduartez said some of flood waters have even seeped into his home and he's livid.
"I've been living here for 38 years, and I've never seen anything like this, never," said Eduartez.
Florida Power and Light reported more than three thousand homes across Miami-Dade and Broward lost power due to the weather.
Gonzalez said Monday's weather will remain unsettled because of plenty of available moisture and a frontal boundary lifting to the north. Trick or treaters should take an umbrella or rain poncho with them.
Once the front lifts to our north Monday night, we should start to see even more improvement and Tuesday we should start to dry out, cool down slightly and see the return of the sun. Tuesday's forecast calls for highs in the upper 70s with less humidity and pleasant breeze.
