Miami-Dade Mayor: "We Have To Be Vigilant"
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and other county leaders are breathing a slight sigh of relief Saturday after Erika dissipated over Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Hours later, Miami officials said the city would resume normal operation on Monday since they do not consider Erika a threat.
Despite fizzling concerns, Mayor Gimenez said folks still shouldn't put their guard down.
The remnants of Erika could still bring substantial rain and possible flooding.
"We're going to be looking at it to make sure something strange doesn't happen because mother nature does have a way to do things not according to plan," Mayor Giminez told CBS4's Natalia Zea while at the County's Emergency Operations Center in Doral. "It may be a rain event. It may be 3 to 5 inches. We do have a deficit here of rain fall so as long as it's not heavy over one area we'll handle it. And even if we do have some localized flooding, we'll handle it."
The overall message leaders want you to hear, is that you should be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.
"We have to be vigilant," said Mayor Gimenez. "Keep your supplies and tomorrow see what the weather brings. Enjoy today and hopefully tomorrow we won't have too much rain and you can enjoy tomorrow too."
The City of Miami Beach brought in new pumps to try and avoid any localized flooding from the storm, which coincide with the highest tides of the month.
As for schools, there is still no decision.
Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho told CBS4's Natalia Zea on Saturday that he is still monitoring the weather and remains in a holding pattern.
He tweeted out just before 11 a.m.:
Parents need to stay informed through media, and robocalls.
Florida International University said all university operation will proceed as planned during the weekend and next week.
Miami Dade College said they remain open and under normal operations through the weekend.
