Aug 18, 2008 10:57 pm US/Eastern
Sweetwater, Oakland Park Hand Out Sandbags
Call 311 For The Broward Info Hotline
OAKLAND PARK (CBS4) ―
As heavy rains and gusty winds associated with Tropical Storm Fay continue to pelt much of South Florida, residents of Oakland Park have been doing what they can to mitigate the damage by loading up sandbags.
"They are a big help but right now in Oakland Park we have a handle on flooding, but these are a precautionary measure," said Oakland Park Utilities manager Joe Teolis.
All of South Florida remains under a Flood Watch.
The city is giving up to 20 free bags of sand to residents who live or work in low lying areas. Those in need, like Monica Allen, jumped at the opportunity in hopes of protecting their homes from potential flood waters caused by Fay.
"We're bagging up, blocking up the front doors and in the back," said Allen, "we have a pool and don't want to bring in extra pool water, and storm water, we don't want that."
"If we get flooded it will help keep water out of the house," said Sandra Dollins who was preparing for the worst, "we've had water come up to an inch at the door step."
The Oakland Park sand bag depot, at 5100 Northeast 12th Terrace, will be open until 4 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday. There is a limit of 20 bags per person and proof of Oakland Park residency is required.
Residents of Sweetwater to the south take their weather lessons very seriously.
For several hours a long line of residents lined up for free sandbags to protect their homes from flooding. Many residents remember the 'no name' storm in 2000 and Hurricane Irene In 1999 which left their city streets underwater.
Yamille Gutierrez, who lives on lake, spent the afternoon placing bags around the entrance to her house. She says she's worried for her children.
"My son is 10 and my daughter is 19 months and my house is a little different," said Gutierrez, "the whole street floods we have to move the cars up on the edge to not let the water get in."
Miami Dade Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz says he's been in contact with the South Florida Water Management District in the last three days to talk about the situation.
"The feel that the canal systems are low enough for the amount of rain that is going to be coming in, the capacity is sufficient to be able to handle these storms," said Diaz.
In the last few, Sweetwater has installed new pumping stations in an effort to relieve some of the problems with the flooding.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Dolphins Cheerleader Calendar Shoot
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
