MIAMI (WSVN) - The mayor of Miami-Dade County has declared a state of emergency, as the region continues to monitor Eta as it makes its way through the Caribbean Sea.
Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced the state of emergency in a statement released Friday night.
“I will be meeting with my senior staff and emergency managers this evening to ensure that all necessary emergency operations are underway,” Gimenez said in a statement. “For now, I urge residents to stay informed as to the storm’s track and potential impact. We are looking at experiencing heavy rainfall through Monday and possible tropical storm force winds beginning Sunday.”
Gimenez added that the county will be opening an evacuation center for those living in mobile homes, low-lying areas and those who need refuge.
The evacuation center will open on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Gate Two of the fairgrounds, at 10901 Coral Way. Those seeking shelter are asked to bring necessities, including blankets, pillows, medicine and required facial coverings.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on social media, “Residents in southern Florida should begin preparing for potential impacts, including heavy rain and flooding. Gather seven days of supplies.”
The U.S. Coast Guard will lock down all draw bridges along the Miami River and the Intercoastal Waterway at least eight hours before tropical storm force winds, or higher, move in. The lockdowns will lift once the storm leaves the area.
The Coast Guard is also warning boaters to stay off the water and to watch out for weather watches and warnings as the storm spins closer.
Meanwhile, the South Florida Water Management District is checking pumps and monitoring canals ahead of expected flooding.
“We have staff in our control center,” South Florida Water Management District spokesperson Drew Bartlett said. “They are there 24/7 every day of the year. They will be there through the storm watching canal levels and moving water where it needs to go.”
Crews in Miami Beach are also cleaning out drainage lines all over the barrier island.
“Just to make sure there’s no unknown stoppages, any kind of leaves or debris that can get in the system,” Miami Beach Director of Public Works Roy Coley said.
The city has also opened all of its parking garages for residents to park their vehicles at no charge until 6 p.m., Tuesday. Residents must show photo ID or a utility bill to prove they live in the city.
“This is very considerate, and it will increase the peace of mind because that’s one less thing we have to worry about with the storm coming just so rapid,” resident Jessica Carole said.
Across the region, Florida Power & Light is preparing for the impact Eta may have on electricity. They have placed extra trucks and staff on standby.
“We can pull our own people from around where we have our different customers all over the state, but we can also ask for resources from outside the state of Florida,” FPL spokesperson Peter Robbins said. “We’ve done that here, so the most important thing is to have the people ready and in place.”
Miami-Dade County services will continue with normal operations throughout the storm, Gimenez said.
It remains unknown what school systems in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties’ plans are for the storm.
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