Some parts of South Florida were affected by road flooding Saturday due to heavy rains and wind as a storm system from Mexico moved through the state.
Miami officials warned motorists about the road conditions, as many vehicles were stuck on flooded streets.
This is a life-threatening and dangerous situation. It is not advised to travel in these conditions. It is better to wait. Miami’s city tweeted, “Turn around, don’t drown.”
The city tow stranded vehicles from flooder roads.
Dan Gelber, Miami Beach Mayor, said that the storm tested drainage pumps installed by the city recently to address flooding issues in low-lying areas.
Gelber stated that while the water was removed quickly, some areas were difficult to access. “While there were problems with getting water through some streets, one main artery was blocked, the majority of the water is now dissipating.”
According to the National Hurricane Center Miami, the storm that was once called Agatha in Pacific Ocean will now be called Alex in Atlantic Ocean basin if it attains tropical storm status.
At 11 p.m. on Saturday, the storm was located approximately 145 miles (235 km) east of Fort Pierce, Florida. It was moving northeast at 20 mph (31 km/h). The tropical storm warnings for Florida’s east coast, and the northwestern Bahamas had been canceled. Bermuda was under a tropical storm watch. Maximum sustained winds averaged 45 mph (75 km/h), with gusts up to 105 mph.
The storm was expected reach tropical storm strength near Florida’s east coast Saturday night, and then strengthen through Monday as the storm moves off Florida and into Atlantic Ocean.
According to authorities, three people were killed in Cuba by a storm that damaged several homes in Havana, and also cut off power in certain areas. The heavy rain continued on Saturday, but it was decreasing as the weather system left the island.
Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Mayor, stated that most government services such as trains and bus routes, would continue to function as usual over the weekend. To reduce flooding from heavy rains, canal levels have been reduced in South Florida.
Officially, the Atlantic hurricane season began Tuesday. Although this is an unusually early start for the storm season, it’s not uncommon in Florida.
According to the National Hurricane Center, rainfall of up to 10 inches (25 cm) was possible in South Florida including the Florida Keys. It was not expected that the storm would produce strong winds or large storm surge. However, flooding was possible in the local area.
