SFWMD Prepared for Weekend Rainfall,
Working With Local Drainage Districts to Prevent Flooding
Residents urged to check neighborhood drainage swales and storm drains as weekend rain forecast for region saturated by earlier storms
The heaviest rainfall over the next five days is forecast for Monday with as much as four inches in some areas of the Keys and Southwest Florida.
Summer storms and the outer edges of a tropical disturbance in the northwest Caribbean are forecast to bring as much as 2-8 inches of rain across South Florida over the next five days. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has already prepared its flood control system to handle additional water from local governments, drainage districts and homeowner associations.
SFWMD water managers monitor regional canals and rainfall 24 hours a day and operate water control structures and pump stations in response to conditions to provide flood protection.
"Local governments, drainage districts and homeowners associations are directly responsible for moving water away from homes and neighborhoods and into SFWMD canals," s aid SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Dan O'Keefe . "The District is working with these local organizations to make them aware of the situation so they can prepare accordingly."
Afternoon thunderstorms are forecast for today, Friday and Saturday followed by as much as 2-4 inches of rain on Sunday and Monday. Areas of the Keys and Southwest Florida are expected to receive the most rain. These storms come on the heels of a week drenched by heavy rains that dropped as much as 14 inches of across the region, with the heaviest in Collier and Broward counties.
SFWMD has scheduled a coordination call at 3 p.m. today with the local government and drainage districts to coordinate activities and help them prepare for the coming rainfall.
Preemptive Measures
Due to last week's heavy rainfall, landscape debris, as well as mulch and other lawn clippings could have accumulated in front of neighborhood storm drains. This type of blockage can lead to local flooding. Residents are encouraged to check their drainage swales and storm drains to make sure there are no obstructions that will block the flow of water away from their property.
View SFWMD's forecasted rainfall for the next several days
View a list of contact numbers for local drainage districts
Learn more about SFWMD's Flood Control System
