CUTLER BAY, Fla. – Preparations for Subtropical Storm Nicole are underway across South Florida.
Flood gates across Miami-Dade and Broward are already being opened to prevent potential flooding that could come with heavy rains later this week.
“We are at the end of the storm season. No one expected this,” said Cutler Bay resident Daniel Rivera.
The storm is moving closer to South Florida’s east coast, and it’s residents in flood prone areas are concerned the system will strengthen and bring with it winds, rain and flooding.
“Because of where we are, so close to the sea coast and low land and a lot of rain,” said Rivera. “Yeah, it is concerning.”
Rivera has dealt with his fair share of flooding.
The Culter Bay community faced bad flooding back in June, with neighborhood streets covered with more than a foot of water.
His hope is that city officials, with the assistance of the South Florida Water Management District, closely monitor water levels in their community to prevent damage and keep them safe.
“What we are doing now is taking the water levels that are in these flood control canals and bringing the water levels down,” said Randy Smith with SFWMD.
Water could be seen moving through a gate at Black Point Marina and into the Atlantic Ocean, allowing levels to lower in the interior canal system.
It’s something Cutler Bay Mayor Tim Meerbott says officials will continue to monitor.
“All the water goes out and draws the canal levels down even more to make us as ready as possible for any more rain that may come,” said Meerbott.
The mayor told Local 10 News’ Roy Ramos that some good news is that the canal system was already low, and SFWMD officials said they have already had crews making sure there is no debris, like downed trees or anything that would stop the flow of water, in the canals.