MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Coastal Miami-Dade County was under a high rip current risk through Sunday evening with forces capable of sweeping even the best swimmers away from shore.
The area was also under a high-surf advisory Saturday with large breaking waves of 6 to 9 feet expected through Sunday morning. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water.
On Saturday afternoon, Tropical Depression Four strengthened in Tropical Storm Debby. The warmth of the Gulf of Mexico was set to fuel Debby into a Category 1 hurricane before landfall in North Florida.
In Miami Beach, the city opened parking garages free for residents to protect their cars from flooding. There was also free sandbag distribution from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, at 2100 Collins Ave.
City officials also promoted the Flood Awareness campaign warning that “low elevation, near sea level” can “cause drainage challenges and flooding from heavy rainfall, high tides, and storm surge.”
WARNINGS
Inland and metropolitan Miami-Dade: Flood watch
Inland and metropolitan Broward: Flood watch
Coastal Miami-Dade: High surf advisory, rip currents and flood watch
Coastal Broward: High surf advisory, rip currents, and flood watch
A flood watch is in effect for South Florida with more flood watches anticipated to be issued northward up the state.
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) August 3, 2024
As Tropical Depression Four is anticipated to cause inland flooding over the weekend & into next week, make sure you know the difference between watches &… pic.twitter.com/v9YDjaDOtz
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WEATHER AUTHORITY TRACKING
This week’s forecast
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