NORTH MIAMI, Fla. – Several neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County remain under more than a foot of water days after heavy storms swept through South Florida.
The high waters trapped some residents, like Lidie Thurc, inside of their homes, prompting Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews to move in and pull them out.
“It is not going down that much, especially in the house,” said Thurc, who lives near the 1100 block of 144th Street, in northeast Miami-Dade. “We still have high water in the house. I cannot go out because the water is higher outside than in the inside.”
Thurc recounted the distressing experience since the downpours began, revealing how parts of her home and community were submerged underwater, forcing her to call for assistance.
She, along with her two small children, mother and husband said they were rescued by emergency crews.
Cellphone video captured the dramatic rescue, showing Thurc’s children being carried to safety and placed in a high-terrain vehicle.
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS: Flooding widespread as storms sweep across South Florida
While Thurc’s family sought refuge in a dry location, their neighbors struggled to navigate through the flooded streets on foot or by vehicle.
Residents are hopeful that county workers will soon alleviate the flooding so they can begin the cleanup and salvage what they can.
“I’ve been calling 311 to see if somebody can open one of those two pumps nearby to get the water down,” Thurc said.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue has been actively assisting the community, deploying lifted trucks to offer aid to those in need.
Mary Estimé-Irvin, a councilwoman for District 3 in North Miami, addressed concerns for vulnerable populations, urging elderly individuals and families with young children to remain indoors if water levels posed a barrier to evacuation.
“What would your message be to those who are just elderly, maybe have young kids unable to get out of their house because the water levels are too high, what should they do? We are asking all of them to stay home, and if there is an emergency, call 911.”
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava says fire rescue crews are continuing patrols with their lifted trucks, especially in hard-hit areas like Northeast 144th Street and 12th Avenue, vacuum trucks are being utilized to begin removing standing water to allow residents to begin cleaning up and salvage what they can.
“We have been able to remove some people from their homes. We have set up a shelter for people who need to be evacuated and naturally, we will be telling the residents about that and to be safe,” said Levine Cava.
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