MIAMI – Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava asked residents to prepare for Tropical Storm Nicole during a news conference on Tuesday, in Miami.
Levine Cava met with Pete Gomez, the county’s director of the office of emergency management, at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center, at 111 NW 1st St., in Downtown Miami.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez was also scheduled to hold a news conference about the storm at 3:30 p.m., on Tuesday at Douglas Park, at 2755 SW 37 Ave.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency, as the storm threatened Florida’s east coast.
Pete Gomez, Director of the Office of Emergency Management, told Local 10 News’ Liane Morejon “Right now, we’re sitting a lot better than we were, but we need to stay and make sure that we’re vigilant and ready in case the storm changes trajectory.”
Levine Cava provided updates to their preparedness plan as tropical storm Nicole approaches Florida.
“All county services essential and nonessential will remain open, nothing will close,” said Levine Cava.
LeVine Cava warned residents that Nicole is expected to have about one to two feet of storm surge along with those higher-than-normal king tides.
“So, the storm is coinciding with king tide season and that means a heightened risk of flooding across our community particularly in low-lying areas,” she said.
Drawbridges along the Miami River have been locked down since 10 a.m.
“This will mainly affect marine traffic, but not our pedestrians our cyclists or our drivers using the bridges until officials can assess drawbridges and waterways for any potential damage from the storm,” said Levine Cava.
PortMiami is also operating at level Yankee which means no vessels are allowed in, and all those leaving the port must do so by 6 p.m.
“Nicole is a clear reminder that hurricane season is not yet over,” Levine Cava said.
Facebook Live: Watch Miami-Dade mayor’s news conference
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