MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - With hurricane season in full swing and a weather system expected to bring heavy rain to South Florida this weekend, local officials are taking proactive measures to ensure residents are prepared.
The National Hurricane Center has placed all of the Florida Keys from the Card Sound Bridge southward, including the Dry Tortugas, under a tropical storm watch. Additionally, the southern coast of Florida, including the southern coast of Miami-Dade County, is also under a tropical storm watch.
The system, now expected to develop in the Gulf of Mexico, is projected to be a significant rainmaker, leading to a state of emergency for some parts of Florida.
In preparation for the impending weather, several cities have organized sandbag distribution events to help residents protect their properties from flooding.
Broward County:
- Fort Lauderdale — Mills Pond Park, located at 2201 NW 9th Ave., will be distributing sandbags through the weekend for residents who bring their own sandbags and shovels. The city will also distribute sandbags to residents at Floyd Hull Stadium, located at 2800 SW 8th Ave., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
- Hollywood — First come, first serve basis for residents only at Jefferson Park, located at 1501 Jefferson Street. Rotary Park, located at 3150 Taft Street. Driftwood Community Center, located at 3000 N. 69th Avenue.
- Lauderhill — From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., residents will be able to collect up to five sandbags at Veterans Park, located at 7600 NW 50 St., and Wolk Park, located at 1080 NW 42nd Way.
As sand mounted at Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale, residents scooped their share ahead of the wet weather we are expecting in the days ahead.
“We coming to get this sand to save us from getting flooded out of our front door, from water coming in from the back and from the sides,” said Fort Lauderdale resident Nelson Rhaney.
“A little bit too much rain floods from time to time because we don’t have any storm drainage,” said another resident picking up sandbags. “It’s been a problem for a few years.”
Residents in parts of Broward County in low-lying neighborhoods are reeling from unprecedented rains and flooding in the past year.
Fort Lauderdale is giving out sandbags every day for the rest of the hurricane season.
“Seeing the forecast, I knew I had to do something, had to be active about doing something and putting something in front of my door to keep the water out,” said Sue Thomas at the sandbag distribution at Mills Pond Park. “This is something that I’m thankful that the city provides for us.”
The City of Lauderhill is also handing out sand to residents.
“Whoever comes gets five bags per person, just got to show your Lauderhill I.D.,” said Pauline Green helping load sandbags in residents’ cars.
Miami-Dade County:
- Miami Lakes — The town offered free, pre-filled sandbags to residents from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday at Royal Oaks Park, located at 16500 NW 87th Ave. Residents can collect up to 10 sandbags per vehicle.
- Miami Beach — The city will host sandbag distribution events on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can collect up to four sandbags per household at two locations: 2100 Collins Ave. (east of Collins Park) and 225 79th St.
- North Miami Beach — Residents collected up to four sandbags per household on Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The distribution took place at the City of North Miami Beach Fleet Maintenance Building, located at 1965 NE 151st St. Residents were required to show a valid ID upon arrival.
And in Miami Lakes, people could receive up to 10 free sandbags. Some residents told 7News they were caught off guard the last time Miami-Dade received a few inches of rain.
“It was hectic. There was a lot of water everywhere, all the way up into the garage, so now these sandbags will help out,” said Jorge, a Miami Lakes resident.
“These sandbags help out, because when you lay them at the entryways to your home, whether it’s the garage or the doorways, once the sand comes in contact with the water, it compacts and creates a barrier to protect your property,” said Miami Lakes Councilman Josh Diéguez.
In addition to sandbag distributions, Miami Beach Public Works crews will be working to clear storm drains in anticipation of heavy rainfall. The team will be active on 44th Street from Royal Palm Avenue to Chase Avenue near Muss Park.
“When we prepare for events like this, we always have our vac trucks out there,” said Bradford Kaine, the director of Miami Beach Public Works. “We will have five of them out there working all weekend long to make sure there are no issues and our residents are safe from any kind of flooding issues.”
In Miami, temporary pumps were installed in key locations to mitigate potential flooding.
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these sandbag distributions and other flood-preparation measures to protect their homes and properties from potential flood damage.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.