MIAMI.- South Florida is outside the cone of Hurricane Ian’s trajectory, but residents of this area of the Sunshine State must remain very attentive to the rains that have been falling since Monday in much of the territory and that could lead to in floods.
Additionally, a tropical storm watch has been issued for the interior of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Local authorities call to prepare for the heavy rains and floods that this dangerous system drags as indirect effects. Sandbags are distributed to residents in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
At noon on Tuesday it was confirmed that classes in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach public schools are suspended Wednesday and Thursday as a precautionary measure.
The mayor assures that they have worked to improve the streets that are best known for flooding after heavy rains.
According to the mayor, the passage of this cyclone through the west of the state could leave 3 to 8 inches of water.
The county has deployed fire crews to remove water from canals and clean the sewer system in the most vulnerable sectors.
In preparation for the arrival of this system that is already being felt and has caused flooding in areas like Brickell.
Levine Cava confirmed that the Miami International Airport will remain open, but indicated that there may be cancellations of flights to Cuba, the Cayman Islands and central Florida.
And it is that, at the local level, the greatest concern is flooding. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said via Twitter that although the city is no longer in the trajectory cone, we must still be prepared to receive 2 to 4 inches of rain through Wednesday morning.
Miami-Dade County authorities continue to call for calm, but the mayor reminded the public on social media that possible tropical storm winds are still expected along with the possibility of flooding.
Sandbags are being distributed at various locations in these counties for residents who choose to purchase them.
Some residents of South Florida spoke with Telemundo 51 about their expectations for the coming days.
“Here it floods a little easily but we just have to prepare (…) I work from home, but many people who live in this community do not, just be careful and do not drive into the water,” said Carlos Acevedo, a resident of Hialeah.
And despite the fact that there is no direct risk from the hurricane, some supplies are no longer in supermarkets. “This morning I bought water, canned food, fruit (…) in the morning there was nothing at Walmart, Costco, anywhere,” Hialeah resident Ana Ortiz said this weekend.
Impact on the Florida Keys
Local authorities announced that Monroe County is under a watch for tropical storm conditions due to Hurricane Ian.
County officials also decided to close government offices and have canceled classes through Wednesday.