Heavy floods hit the low-lying areas of Miami this Wednesday amid intense rains reported throughout the day. In neighborhoods like Edgewater, residents were unable to go to work due to the flooding, as confirmed by Local 10 news.
"My cousin lives right in the middle of the pond, and right now she couldn't go to work," said resident Elizabeth Martin, who lost a car in a previous flood. "This is my second car because one was parked in the flood area and died," she explained.
Municipal authorities installed pumps in the neighborhood that diverted rainwater to the bay. "We can say that we have 14 permanent pumps and 12 temporary ones in those areas where the water tends to accumulate a bit more," explained Kenia Fallat, the city spokesperson.
In North Miami, vacuum trucks cleared the flooded areas, and flooding was also reported in Aventura.
In Southwest Miami, as well as Hialeah, Opa Locka, and Miami Gardens, it hasn't stopped raining since Tuesday. In Downtown, Brickell, and Hialeah, sidewalks and roads were waterlogged since yesterday afternoon. Traffic chaos has also been reported on several roads.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) explained that the intense and continuous rains are due to a trough over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and are expected to produce heavy rains in Florida over the next several days.
Authorities warn that there is a low probability of a tropical depression forming off the southeastern U.S. coast, but it's necessary to stay alert until the end of this week.
The National Weather Service issued a heavy rain alert for South Florida. The heaviest rains are expected near the Gulf Coast from Wednesday night until the end of the week.
Heavy rains are forecast to continue in parts of the Florida peninsula over the coming days. Authorities recommend residents stay informed about the weather conditions and take necessary precautions to avoid incidents related to the flooding.
Miami Flooding: What You Need to Know
Given the recent heavy rainfall and flooding in Miami, residents have many questions. Here are some key points of interest:
Why is Miami experiencing such heavy rains?
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) explains that a trough over the eastern Gulf of Mexico is causing the intense and continuous rains expected to persist over the next several days.
What areas in Miami are most affected by the flooding?
Low-lying areas such as Edgewater, North Miami, Aventura, Downtown, Brickell, Hialeah, Opa Locka, and Miami Gardens have been significantly affected by the flooding.
What measures are being taken to address the flooding?
Municipal authorities have installed 14 permanent and 12 temporary pumps to divert rainwater to the bay, and vacuum trucks are clearing flooded areas in North Miami.