Virgilio Batista returned to his car Thursday morning in Fort Lauderdale’s Edgewood neighborhood after it broke down amid Wednesday night’s flooding.
“It was so much water,” he told Local 10 News. “I was taking water. The car was running -- when I got to that spot, it went dead.”
Batista said his car is a goner.
“It’s totaled,” he said.
He’s not the only one having a rough morning as high water levels were in the same spot early Thursday morning where flood waters wreaked havoc on homes in the area in 2023.
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS: Flooding widespread as storms sweep across South Florida
While some of the water has receded, homeowners are frustrated.
“The city fails us again,” Edgewood resident Robert Thomas said. “This is the thousand year storm that followed the thousand year storm that happened one year ago.”
Tow truck drivers have their work cut out for them as multiple vehicles have been left stranded.
“I see a lot of cars on the side of the road,” Willie Thomas said.
As more rain is on the way, Thomas had an important reminder for other residents.
“Just don’t drive through water -- that’s all,” he said. “If you see high water, don’t drive through it because your car will shut down.”
SANDBAG GIVEAWAYS
Miami: Sandbags will be given out to City of Miami residents at the Little Haiti Soccer Park until 2 p.m. Thursday. The park is located at 6301 NE Second Ave. Residents must present a valid ID.
Opa-locka: Sandbags will be given out to Opa-locka residents from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Opa-locka Public Works Department, located at 12950 NW 42nd Ave.
Miramar: Miramar residents can pick up free sandbags at the following locations:
Sunset Lakes, (2801 SW 186th Ave, 33029); Lakeshore Park (8915 Miramar Parkway); and the Multi-Service Complex (6700 Miramar Parkway, 33023).
The sandbags will be given out at the following times:
Thursday: from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CLICK HERE for the latest weather updates from Local 10′s Weather Authority.