FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Crews have been working to clear standing water that has persisted in some Broward County cities, while officials are urging residents to reduce their water consumption.
Pump trucks could be seen making their way in and out of one Fort Lauderdale neighborhood on Wednesday and Thursday, working to clear Tropical Storm Eta’s aftermath.
Area resident Albertha Davis has been waiting four days for the water to recede.
“It’s just been very frustrating. I’m still frustrated,” she said. “They’re making an effort to remove some of the water.”
Crews are using the vacuum truck in an effort to expedite the process, but while the worst of the weather may be over, the cleanup process for many continues.
On Wednesday evening, another round of rain from the tail end of Eta made life for Melrose Park residents even more difficult.
“Not even during a hurricane it got this bad or took this long to recede. I can’t go out anywhere, can’t get groceries and stuff like that,” said Hector Berrios.
The front yard of Berrios’s home is still a mess. Murky water came up to his front door and surrounded his cars.
The floodwater left behind trash and debris.
The high water knocked out the electric chair of a man who is recovering from a stroke. On top of the damage to his home, his mobility is limited. His wife has to use a lift to get him around.
Residents said the cleanup is not being done fast enough. A car was left abandoned, and families are left with the worry of mold and soaked belongings.
“It takes time,” said Jace Selby with Central Broward Water Control District on Thursday morning.
Right now, Selby said, it’s partly a waiting game.
“Everybody’s water is waiting in line, so to speak, to get out the same exit.”
Beyond the damage to homes, the storm also wreaked havoc on South Broward’s sewage and wastewater systems.
Southern Regional Wastewater Treatment Center officials said they are processing more than double the wastewater than usual, so they’re asking residents in certain cities to reduce their water usage.
“It is a mixture of untreated and stormwater,” said spokesperson Joann Hussey. “Reduce the length of your showers, limit the flushing of your toilet, try not to run your dishwater and hold off on doing laundry for a day or two.”
Residents in the following areas are asked to reduce their use of water for the next two days:
- Southern Broward County
- Hollywood
- Pembroke Pines
- Dania Beach
- Hallandale Beach
- Miramar
- Pembroke Park
Davis said the water Eta has dumped in the area is just a sign of the times.
“It is really the worst yet, 2020. It was a bad year for everybody,” she said.
The soggy weather does not appear to be going away. Rain continued to fall in the affected areas, Thursday evening, and a street flood advisory has been issued for parts of Broward.
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