Florida residents have to worry about flood problems due to tropical storms and hurricanes. Right on schedule, the sixteenth tropical depression has formed in the Caribbean Sea. A very wide area of thunderstorms is accompanying this new depression that stretches from Jamaica to portions of Central America. The latest tropical storm to stake out the state of Florida poses the largest threat of flooding to the U.S. this year, despite a record number of large hurricanes that have been originating out of the Atlantic Ocean this year. Flooding from tropical storms carries a number of risks from property damage to loss of life.
An alley for this new storm system is drawn toward the north/northeast which is aimed toward the southeastern United States. The first impact from this storm which is named Nicole will be felt in portions of the Florida Peninsula through Thursday. It is quite possible that heavy rains and flooding may result in this area as this system makes its way near or up the coast.
While Nicole has yet to reach tropical storm status a tropical storm warning is in place in portions of southern Florida including the Keys while a tropical storm watch is in place for southwest Florida. It is estimated that this system could carry with it sustained winds of up to 45 miles per hour. A total of anywhere between four and eight inches of rain could fall on southern portions of Florida. It is predicted that Broward and Miami Dade counties will see the heaviest amounts of rainfall.
South Florida has been unusually dry for the past few weeks but that is expected to end. A flood watch is in effect for Broward, Palm Beach and Miami Dade counties. In Palm Beach, officials are planning to keep schools and county offices open, at least for now. The U.S. Coast Guard is urging boaters to prepare for bad weather. Officials in Palm Beach will provide a phone number that residents can call to report flooding and blocked storm drains because the quicker these blockages are removed, the faster the area will drain.
FEMA has already issued an advisory to those people living in the southeastern United States to prepare for rain and flooding. The agency says it is prepared to assist those states that may be affected by flood waters. The storm is expected to arrive in Palm Beach County at about 8 p.m. Wednesday and this fast moving system may dump as much as five inches of rain on the area in two days. The Palm Beach Public Works department is taking necessary steps to ensure that the risk of flooding is minimized and will be on call throughout the duration of the storm.
Residents living in the path of the approaching storm are being advised to prepare for flooding. It is advisable that everyone knows where to receive sandbags from their cities and municipalities and it is also being recommended that gutters and downspouts be cleared. Flooding can occur quickly, especially in low lying areas. It is never advised to walk in floodwater as it is fast moving and holds many hidden dangers.
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