Sept. 27, 2017
West Palm Beach, FL – As recovery efforts from Hurricane Irma continue, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is preparing for heavy rainfall from a tropical disturbance expected to move through South Florida starting late this week.
Forecasts are calling for the heaviest rain Friday and Saturday along the east coast of the District's 16-county region. Water managers have maintained regional canals in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in low operating ranges since Hurricane Irma moved through South Florida more than two weeks ago. In preparation for this weekend's rainfall, canals in Palm Beach County are also being drawn down by discharging water to tide through coastal structures.
Water managers are closely monitoring the tropical disturbance and will make adjustments to the regional flood control system as needed around the clock to maximize flood protection for South Florida residents and businesses.
The District is also coordinating with cities, counties and water control districts that operate local (secondary) canal systems. These secondary canals receive water from neighborhoods and store excess water or move it to the SFWMD-managed regional flood control system. In case of localized flooding, you can find contact information for the local government or water control district that operates the secondary system in your area using the interactive map at www.sfwmd.gov/stormupdate.
For updates on storm preparations and Hurricane Irma recovery efforts:
SFWMD Chief Engineer John Mitnik provides a briefing on heavy rainfall expected this weekend.