MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – As Hurricane Milton approaches, cities like Miami and Coral Gables have declared a state of emergency to brace for the storm’s impact. Flooding concerns are especially high across the county.
At Biscayne Lakes Gardens Apartments, loud trucks are working to clear storm drain systems, including pump stations, in an effort to prevent a repeat of the June floods that left cars totaled and apartments waterlogged.
“After the storm went through, everything was flooded,” a resident said. “The lake behind my house rose up from the tides and storm surge, and came out here with all the rain.”
Many residents are moving their cars to higher ground to avoid flood-prone areas.
“We have anxiety. We’re not going to leave our cars here, that’s for sure,” another resident added.
Sandbags are being distributed rapidly across Miami-Dade, including in North Miami Beach, where demand surged on Sunday morning.
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“They want to be prepared against flooding,” said Robert Fandino of North Miami Public Works. “There’s no light, there’s no water, so they have to do something to protect their property.”
North Miami Public Works’ Sam Bernard added, “All you have to do is show your ID with a city address, and you’re good to go.”
With heavy rain expected to drench South Florida, many residents are crossing their fingers, hoping Milton’s impact won’t be as devastating for them or their neighbors in other Florida counties directly in the storm’s path.
“Until it’s here, you really don’t think anything of it,” one resident admitted. “But now that I’m seeing it’s starting to come, I’m getting very nervous.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, members of the Board of County Commissioners, and the Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management are hosting a press conference at noon on Monday to update the community about the potential impacts of Hurricane Milton in South Florida, how the County is preparing, and what steps residents can take.
Local 10 News viewers will be able to watch the press conference when it starts at the bottom of this page.
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