Officials in SW Miami-Dade prepare as combination of Ian, king tides bring flood risk

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. ā€“ Flooding was top of mind for officials in southwest Miami-Dade Monday, as heavy rain from the outer bands of Hurricane Ian threatened to combine with king tides to produce a flood hazard for the area.

South Florida is not expected to bear the brunt of the stormā€™s impact, however.

ā€œItā€™s gonna bring a significant amount of rain, which means that people inland are going to be subject to inland flooding,ā€ Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell said.

Cutler Bay Mayor Tim Meerbott met with South Florida Water Management District officials at Black Point Park and Marinaā€™s water control structure to discuss flooding.

The town was inundated with flood waters after severe storms earlier in the summer.

ā€œWeā€™re expecting maybe some tropical (storm) force winds along the way but, you know, weā€™re really concerned about the rain event,ā€ Meerbott said. ā€œTheyā€™re in optimal condition to handle any any water.ā€

Officials were working to lower canal levels Monday in preparation for Ian.


About the Authors:

Christina returned to Local 10 in 2019 as a reporter after covering Hurricane Dorian for the station. She is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist and previously earned an Emmy Award while at WPLG for her investigative consumer protection segment "Call Christina."

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.