BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – While superheroes often come to mind when thinking about saving the day, in Fort Lauderdale, the real heroes wear safety vests and rubber boots.
These unsung saviors, armed with powerful pump trucks, are taking on the aftermath of intense storms Tuesday, ensuring neighborhoods like Melrose Park don’t end up underwater due to Hurricane Milton.
On any given day, nearly two dozen pump trucks are deployed across the city, sucking up tens of thousands of gallons of stormwater.
Their efforts help keep the streets clear, as they haul the water away to larger stormwater systems. For residents like Eleanor Seymore, the sight of these trucks is a welcome relief.
“I’m very happy to see them ‘cause I peek out and listen for the truck,” Seymore said.
Melrose Park, particularly Southwest First Street, was no stranger to flooding.
Seymore vividly remembers the disastrous storm last spring when the streets were submerged under a lake of water.
“Remember that first big flood they had? Oh, yeah. Up to the wall… all the way across,” she said. “It was a lake… this was a lake. This wasn’t a street.”
Last spring’s flooding left a lasting impact on the neighborhood, but the situation is much better now, thanks to the efforts of Fort Lauderdale’s Public Works Department.
Dr. Nancy Gassman, the city’s Deputy Public Works Director, explained to Local 10 News how the city has made significant improvements in stormwater management, particularly in hard-hit areas like Melrose Park.
“We created a drainage swale across what is essentially a three-block area, and that creates a lot of capacity for water to come off of the road so that we can keep the roads passable,” Gassman said.
These changes have had a noticeable effect, giving residents a sense of security as they brace for future storms. While no one can control the weather, Fort Lauderdale has made sure it’s better equipped to handle whatever comes its way.
“We’re prepared to take on some more rain as the storm comes through,” Gassman added.
But for longtime residents like Seymore, who have experienced the worst of the flooding, caution still remains top of mind. Despite the improvements, she’s not taking any risks if another storm hits.
“I’m going to let you know, right now, I’ll be in the house,” Seymore said with a laugh, making it clear that she’s learned from past experiences.
Read this story in Spanish by clicking here.
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