MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County workers are clearing storm drains and have pumps on standby in cases of flooding in the coming days due to a forecast of heavy rain.
They are making sure pumps are operating properly, just in case they’re needed.
Stormwater utility workers made stops across Miami-Dade County at low lying areas, those that line Biscayne Bay, communities with poor drainage and neighborhoods that consistently flood.
“We try and come out and hit the area that are prone to be flooding,” said Miami-Dade County Worker Augustine Sansaricq. “If we get all of the debris out and clean the pipes then that drain is able to function the way it is supposed to.”
With vacuum trucks, crews cleared drains near Northeast 110th Street and Biscayne Bay on Friday.
Maintenance workers like Sansaricq said while he and his crews clear what is beneath the surface, residents can do their own maintenance to prevent flooding in their neighborhood.
Simply sweeping storm drains of downed palm fronds, branches and leaves can make the difference between proper drainage and rising water seeping into your home.
“If you see that your drain top is dirty, get out there with a broom or whatever and clean it and make sure that water can get in there,” said Sansaricq.
But while we’ve seen the damage torrential downpours are capable of in South Florida, Sansaricq said there is only so much workers like he and his crew can do, especially in areas already saturated from prior storms.
Local 10 News’ Roy Ramos also spoke with the South Florida Water Management District who said the state is also going to be lowering levels of the canal systems in South Florida to help prevent flooding.