MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Some tourists could be seen along Miami Beach watching the waves build and the rain begin to fall as the city finalized their preparations ahead of an arriving Tropical Storm Eta.
Throughout Sunday afternoon, the region experienced consistent wind gusts and rain, but the conditions began to worsen at around 6 p.m.
“It’s a little windy, just a slight wind,” Jevante Phillips, who is visiting from Atlanta, said. “Indoor activities versus outdoor activities, obviously, with most of the things outdoors being closed, we’re kind of forced indoors.”
7News cameras captured waves breaking near the lifeguard station on Fifth Street, and Ocean Drive was mostly empty throughout the day due to the consistent downpours.
“We’re just trying to make the best out of what we got,” Emmana Jasmine, who is visiting from Atlanta, said. “I mean, it’s crazy, but it’s beautiful, and it’s nice to be alive.”
Chris Trease, whose family is visiting from Ohio, braved the elements to watch the big waves come ashore. Although their vacation is along the Gulf Coast, when they saw the forecast, they drove to Miami to see the conditions for themselves.
“It was a kind of rainy day on the other side, so we thought we would drive across,” Trease said. “It’s only two hours so just to kind of see.”
As the tourists admired the conditions, Miami Beach Public Works crews finalized their storm preparations.
Julian San Miguel and his crew worked 12 hours straight to fit anti-flood panels in front of businesses in the area of Michigan Avenue and 17th Street.
“We really don’t know when it’s coming, where it’s going, but we’re prepared for the worst,” San Miguel said. “What we’re worried about is surge storms coming up, surges coming up just flooding this area. As everyone knows, Miami Beach is prone to that.”
With 6 to 10 inches of rain forecast, along with possible flooding, the city spent days preparing. Sandbags lined the entrance to the Apple Store along Lincoln Road.
Officials said they have deployed eight temporary pumps, with two additional pumps on standby, six temporary generators are ready to be deployed, with an additional four on standby, and the city distributed more than 500 sandbags to residents.
“You should already have secured objects that winds can blow around, such as garbage containers, patio furniture, garden tools, toys,” Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said. “Avoid setting out any yard waste or trash that can clog our storm water system.”
Those residents who are concerned about flooding in Miami Beach can park their vehicles at any city parking garage at no charge. Residents must bring a photo ID with their Miami Beach address or their utility bill. Vehicles must be taken out of the garage by 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
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