FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - South Floridians are already feeling some of Subtropical Storm Alberto’s effects this weekend.
7News cameras captured barriers with sandbags on top lining part of a street located next to a canal in Davie, in what turned out to be a soggy Saturday across South Florida.
When asked at what point he starts worrying about his property, area resident George Audette replied, “If it rains any more than this we start worrying, especially on this street, because the canal over there floods and comes all the way back this way.”
Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a state of emergency for all 67 counties in the state, Saturday morning.
As the first named storm of the hurricane season churns away in the Gulf of Mexico, meteorologists are expecting the heavy precipitation to stick around for several days.
Flood Watch in effect with plenty of rain, yet to come. pic.twitter.com/WItU3A01Jz
— Brent Cameron (@bcameron7) May 26, 2018
Local residents, even in neighborhoods prone to flooding, found a way to get outside on Saturday. However, some said they’re starting to get a little nervous about rising floodwaters.
“It goes beyond. It comes all the way on the street,” said Davie resident Michael Lorde. “It’s hard to walk through it and stuff, and to deal with this most of the time.”
But another resident saw the silver lining on these dark clouds. “Way better than the sun,” he said.
Officials said they are pumping as much of the water out to the sea to make room for more.
“We’ve been pumping 24/7 since last Sunday,” said Carl Olsen from South Florida Water Management. “Between the rain from last week and the rain coming in this week, we are trying to keep it down to keep flooding to a minimum.”
Alberto is currently located southwest of Florida and, as of 11 p.m. on Saturday, was heading north-northeast at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
“The bad weather associated with these storms can extend pretty far away from the center of that storm, so that pretty much puts South Florida right in the area,” said Dr. Ed Rappaport with the National Weather Service.
A 7News viewer sent in a video showing bands of rain from his balcony near Downtown Miami.
There was a letup in the rain Saturday night, allowing crowds in Downtown Fort Lauderdale to enjoy an evening out. However, more rain forecast for South Florida on Sunday.
Much of the storm’s rain is to the east, and some areas in South Florida could see several inches of rain.
“There is still some uncertainty involved with every forecast, and that’s why our preparations are required whenever you have watches and warnings in your area,” said Rappaport.
That uncertainty has left South Florida residents crossing their fingers for Sunday. “I’m just hoping that somehow it just stays like this, that it doesn’t go any further than it’s supposed to go,” said Lorde.
In addition to the state of emergency, a price gouging hotline has been set up. That number is 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226).
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