Heavy rain leads to localized street flooding across South Florida
Heavy rains, which started late Sunday and lasted through late Monday, led to a soggy commute across South Florida.
In Edgewater, an area prone to flooding during storms, the City of Miami turned on pumps to drain the water from the soaked streets.
In downtown Miami, a portion of Biscayne Boulevard between NE 10 Street and NE 14 Street was underwater and the roadway was closed to traffic.
In Miami Beach, Ana Maria Delfoni said she doesn't drive during the storms. But when a different kind of nature called, she dressed up her dogs in rain jackets as she took them out for a walk.
"It's been going and going and my little dogs needed to go outside, so we decided to dress up and just get out there," she said.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesperson Erika Benitez said, "It's never a good idea to walk or drive through flooded areas. Although kids may find it fun, never let your kids or pets play in flooded water, as the water may be deeper than it appears, hiding all kinds of hazards and debris and sharp objects and downed power lines and even wild animals."
Benitez added that Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Office of Emergency Management always work together to monitor these situations.
"We are starting the season where we are seeing more and more of this weather, so it is important to be prepared and to have a weather kit. Your kit should have items like non-perishable food supplies and cleaning supplies and water for several days and items for any special needs you might have," she said.
Across Broward County, it was a similar situation, with some roads flooded from the hours of steady rain.
Scattered showers and storms will move through during the afternoon and another round of heavy rain will be possible on Monday night.
South Florida is under a flood watch through 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Parking in flood prone areas
Parking garages in Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood are now free for residents who want to park on higher ground during the storms.
Miami Beach residents who live in flood-prone areas can park their cars in nine of the city's garages for free through noon Tuesday. The garages at the Miami Beach Convention Center (1901 Convention Center Drive), 5 Street & Alton Road (550 Lenox Avenue), and City Hall (1755 Meridian Avenue) are not included.
In Fort Lauderdale, residents looking to protect their vehicles can park them for free at the Las Olas Garage, 200 Las Olas Circle, or at the Riverwalk Center Garage, 150 SE 2nd Street, on the third level and above. Vehicles may remain up to 24 hours after the advisory ends.
In Hollywood, residents can park for free in four city garages through 8 a.m. Wednesday to keep their cars out of potential floodwaters.
- Van Buren Garage, 251 S 20 Avenue
- Radius Garage, 251 N 19 Avenue
- Garfield Garage, 300 Connecticut Street
- Nebraska Garage, 327 Nebraska Street
