LTC 394-2017 Flooding ReportMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 394-2017 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members of the City Commission
FROM:
DATE: August 3, 2017
SUBJECT: Flooding Report
The following information is a summary of Tuesday's flooding events, immediate
response activities, after actions to date and mitigation efforts going forward. This L TC
also provides answers to questions we have received from Commissioners, residents,
businesses and/or the media.
EVENT SUMMARY
Miami Beach experienced heavy flooding Tuesday afternoon. Advisories from the
National Weather Service (NWS) at 2: 14 PM indicated heavy rains and forecasted minor
flooding in Miami Beach with up to two inches of rain already fallen. By 3:45 PM NWS
advised that between three to five inches of rain had fallen. Our records reflect a rate of
more than nine inches per hour and an accumulation of 6.5 inches from 2:00 PM to 5:00
PM. (Attached please find rain totals for Miami Beach and other local jurisdictions from
the NWS). While we mobilized flood teams throughout the city, we experienced a great
amount of rainfall in a very short period of time, with no advance notice. This amount of
rainfall is twice the City's, and most cities', design criteria for storm water infrastructure.
Unfortunately, we also experienced power outages in the city; the FPL website indicated
more than 7000 outages county wide on Tuesday. These power outages caused some
pump station electrical systems to be temporarily down. The city deployed emergency
generators as needed.
This storm highlighted the importance of our comprehensive program of raising roads
and protecting our public infrastructure. We witnessed main arterial roads that were
impassable; evacuation routes were flooded and public safety was impacted. We must
continue our commitment to invest in and adapt our infrastructure for today and a
resilient tomorrow.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PHASE
Yesterday seven Building Department inspectors assessed 59 properties. The
inspections were carried out based on reports that came in from 73 locations, but it
became apparent that some of the reports were duplicates or were simply for street
flooding and not for property damage. Two Code Compliance Officers did assessments
at 21 locations with reports of mostly minor damage. Staff is still compiling the
information gathered.
Preliminary assessments from our departments show more than 20 roof-damaged
properties and several elevator pits damaged as well. An early estimate of more than
$450,000 of damage at the Convention Center has been reported as well.
STORMWATER DESIGN CRITERIA
On the issue of the design criteria and capacity of the system, please know that cities do
not design for the most extreme events. That would be very costly, rather unattractive
due to the size of the necessary infrastructure and, as a seven square mile built-out
island, the required infrastructure would adversely impact open public space. Yesterday
was an extreme event with a rainfall rate of more than nine inches an hour and a total of
six and one half inches from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Our system can and does handle
three inches an hour, hour after hour. A design for a five-year storm means it can
handle seven inches in 24 hours, and the expectation and plan is that within 24 hours
conditions are dry. Miami Beach actually designs for the high end of the five year storm.
But at no point does the design guarantee that no flooding or ponding will occur during
significant rain events. Rather, the commitment is to drain the streets as quickly as
possible thereafter.
The pump at 34th Street and Chase Avenue is a limited capacity old generation pump
for injection wells that was retrofit with an outfall connection to bring relief during king
tides last year. We are planning to bring significant improvements to the area South of
34th Street in the new Central Bayshore South project. We are evaluating whether to
interconnect with 34th Street as part of that project or significantly reduce the area that
this pump needs to service. Either way we spent much time at this location during the
event and believe it was overwhelmed for a long time because it is trying to serve much
too large a drainage basin.
GENERATORS
Many comments have been directed to the loss of power at certain pump stations. Of
the 15 pump stations that have been built and installed under the current robust
stormwater program, five of the pumps lost power for some period of time on Tuesday.
This explains the flooding at Lower North Bay Road, 14th street and 17th street. The
pump stations in Sunset Harbor lost power for about 45 minutes. Interestingly, the
streets remained flood free despite that outage, but some businesses which are below
the base flood level were impacted. Once the pumps regained power, the streets in
Sunset Harbor were one of the first that were flood free. In those neighborhoods where
the pumps did not lose power (e.g. Crespi Boulevard, West Avenue), there was minimal
impact from flooding. In those areas where the city has yet to do any work (e.g.
Flamingo Park neighborhood, Lower Bayshore), flooding was significant.
Earlier this year, the City Commission authorized the purchase of two generators for
Sunset Harbor only each generator costs approximately $500,000 and the dimensions
are approximately 5' x 12' x 6' elevated to 2' above base flood elevation which is about 5'
above the street. Staff has been negotiating specifications and price over the last few
months with the selected vendor, but there still remained a difference in price of more
than $200,000. In light of the experience on Tuesday, we will expedite the purchase
now in August and expect a 90 day delivery and installation timeframe. At the
September 13, 2017 Commission meeting, staff will present a plan for back-up
generators citywide to include costs, size and neighborhood aesthetics and space
considerations. This presentation will also include costs to purchase a full SCADA
system for remote monitoring and control of our infrastructure to modernize the
management of our new infrastructure investments.
The City has deployed portable generators to some of the pumps stations, and more are
being deployed to be on-site for faster startups in the event of further power outages.
The smallest of these generators are about the size of a small truck (see figure 1) and
are located very close to the pump stations' control center.
l
. .
DOOSAN • • I
SUNSET HARBOR
Sunset Harbor's neighborhood stormwater mitigation improvements are almost
complete, and performed very well. During the power outage prior to the portable
generators being delivered, unfortunately, flooding was experienced by some of the
businesses that are located below the streets. In at least some of these cases the
flooding was exacerbated due to the private property roof drains emptying into the lower
levels of the sidewalks (see figure 2). The City's engineers and operation staff are
working to identify ways to further improve system performance.
AVAILABLE FEDERAL/STATE ASSISTANCE
On Monday July 31, 2017, Florida Governor Rick Scott issued a Tropical Storm Emily
State of Emergency for 31 counties, with Miami Dade County included. The City is
working with Miami-Dade County to collect and document any impacts to homes and
businesses within their jurisdiction that experienced damage due to flooding caused by
Tropical Storm Emily. The business community can report damages (insured and
uninsured) in the State Business Damage Assessment Survey at:
http://flvbeoc.org/index.php?action=bda . Businesses should select Tropical Storm
Emily under the "Event/Incident".
Miami-Dade could qualify for a Small Business Administration Disaster Declaration if we
meet the threshold, which is 25 homes and/or businesses damaged or destroyed with
uninsured losses of 40% or more. If we qualify for the threshold of a SBA Disaster
Declaration, small businesses will be able to apply for financial assistance such as an
Emergency Bridge Loan that provides short-term, interest-free working capital to
businesses that have been physically or economically impacted by the storm.
Additionally, and as a first action, any damage should be reported to their flood
insurance agent.
SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
In summary the stormwater pumps effectively dried the roads faster than the existing
older gravity system. And the pumps worked quickly after regaining power. Our system
works at its design capacity and for our forecasted sea level-rise. Our system will not
protect immediately during extreme and intense quick events like Tuesday's rain, storm
surge or dangerous hurricanes. Because we are a low lying coastal community, from
time to time and in extreme cases the water will take longer to subside and other
protective measures are available to shelter in place or evacuate for our safety.
An important message we have been sharing with businesses and residents is that we
are all in this together. The City is an island and 93% of buildings in Miami Beach are
located in a FEMA special flood hazard area. The City is diligently working to raise
roads, install pumps and replace aging infrastructure to improve drainage. This alone will
not eliminate risk. We urge residents and businesses to also do their part to protect
themselves and their property. For businesses that are below base flood level and in
low-lying and flood prone areas, this includes using protective measures, flood panels or
even sand bags when heavy rainfall is expected. We also urge residents to not walk
through or drive through flood waters for their own safety and that of their personal
property.
It is our goal that all of Miami Beach, whether public roads or private homes, is in the
best position possible before, during and after potential flooding. The attached Flood
Awareness Fact Sheet has been prepared and previously shared for the purpose of
preparing residents and businesses before and during a flood, and how to handle after
the event. Please feel free to share before the next event. Visit
www.mbrisingabove.com and click on flood awareness for more information.
Finally, after any rain event we remind residents and businesses to drain and cover to
avoid water ponding and mosquito breeding.
We will provide additional information as available.
Attachments
JLM/SMT
F:lcmgr\$ALLISUSY\L TC's\Flooding Report\Flood L TC.doc
MIAiVil-SOUTH FLORIDA
National Weather Service
Forecast Office
http://www.weather.gov/miami
National Weather Service Preliminary Report
August l, 2017 Miami and Miami Beach Flood Event
Synopsis: an elongated area of low pressure (trough) extended across South Florida on
August ist. This along with daytime heating triggered a band of heavy showers and
thunderstorms just off the coast of Miami-Dade County early in the afternoon. This
band then redeveloped to the west over Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Downtown
Miami just after 2 PM and became nearly stationary, then redeveloped farther to the
west and southwest across The Redland, Kendall, Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest. Rainfall
totals of 4-6 inches were widespread in these areas, with isolated amounts of 7-8
inches. Virtually all of this rain fell in a three-hour period during the mid and late
afternoon ending around 6 PM.
Rainfall rates of 2-4" per hour were common, with these rates generally lasting for 2-3
hours. This in combination with high tide between 5-6 PM led to significant flooding in
the Miami Beach and Brickell areas.
Impacts (information gathered from a combination of sources including TV and print
media, social media and survey by NWS meteorologists):
Miami Beach: numerous reports of flood waters entering businesses,
homes, apartment lobbies and parking garages. Water was 1 to 2 feet deep on
streets in many areas of South Beach, including Purdy Avenue, West Avenue,
Alton Road, Pennsylvania Avenue, Meridian Avenue, Collins Avenue, Washington
Avenue and Indian Creek Drive. Numerous vehicles stalled in these streets and
others across the city.
-City of Miami: more than 10 businesses, stores and buildings in the vicinity of
Mary Brickell Village had at least 1 to 4 inches of water inside their structures,
based on water marks and accounts from store employees. This includes stores
and businesses on SW 10th Street between S. Miami Avenue and SW 1st Avenue.
SW 10th street was also closed for half a block due to deep water.
-Rest of Miami-Dade County: no major impacts noted other than flooded
neighborhood streets.
(note: this weather event was not directly associated with Tropical Storm Emily, but
as part of the trough which extended across South Florida. This is the same trough
that spawned Emily early Monday morning July 31st in the northeastern Gulf of
Mexico, which moved south to across South Florida by Tuesday, August 1st.)
Select 24-hour Rainfall Totals ending at 8 AM Wednesday, August 2nd
(data below considered unofficial except Miami Beach Golf Club)
The Redland/Krome Ave & SW 200 Street (CoCoRaHS) 7.46"
Miami Beach/Alton Road & 56th Street (CWOP) 7.19"
Miami Beach Golf Club (NWS COOP) 6.50"
Virginia Key (Miami-Dade DTPW) 5.25"
Virginia Key/NOAA-AOML (CoCoRaHS) 5.18"
Florida's Turnpike & SW 173rd Street (CWOP) 4.72"
Palmetto Bay (CoCoRaHS) 4.44"
Pinecrest/The Falls 4.03"
Kendall/SW 136th Street & 127th Ave (Wunderground) 3.84"
Virginia Key: Univ. of Miami RSMAS 3.74"
Brickell Key (Miami-Dade DTPW) 3.68
Vizcaya Area (WeatherBug) 3.41"
Miami/SW 25th Street & 27th Avenue (Wunderground) 3.33"
Surfside (CWOP) 3.31"
Pinecrest/SW 102nd Street and USl (Wunderground) 3.19"
Marlins Park (WeatherBug) 2.61"
Note on graphics below: radar estimates can be significantly far off from actual
measurements. Rain gauges are considered "ground truth" and are typically more
accurate than radar estimates. The graphics below are storm total rainfall estimates
from the Key West WSR 88-D radar. The Miami WSR 88-D radar graphic is not included
as it did not have a good handle on the rainfall totals for most areas and was biased too
low. The graphics of radar totals help us to graphically see the general areas where the
heaviest rains occurred. For estimating rainfall totals, we use the rain gauge data, and
then fill in the gaps with the radar data to provide estimates of rainfall totals.
24-hour rain graphic from NWS Key West WSR 88-0 Radar with select rain gauge
measurements included
24-Hr Quantitative PrecipUation Acwrnul:atto.n (inches.)
Valid: Wed Aug 2, 2017 2:00 PM EDT
24-hour rain total graphic from NWS Weather and Hazards Data Viewer
Acknowledgments: Andrew Hagen of NWS Miami contributed greatly to this report by
compiling the rainfall data and creating the graphicsJ as well as conducting an
informal flood survey in the Brickell area yesterday evening.
10 STEPSTo FLOOD AWARENESS
1. COASTAL CITIES
FACE FLOOD RISK.
93% of properties on
Miomi Beach ore located
in a Special Flood
Hozord Area, as
mapped by FEMA.
Miami Beach is reducing
risk through elevating
roods, a new stormwoter
system, and new
construction regulations
to build higher.
El 93% de las prapiedades
de Miami Beach se
encuentra en un Area
Especial de Riesgo de
lnundacianes, ta/ y coma lo
indican las mapas de la
Agencia Federal para el
Mane;o de Emergencias
(FEMA, par sus siglas en
ingles). Miami Beach est6
reducienda el riesgo
tomando medidas coma la
elevaci6n de carreteras, un
nueva sistema de recagida
de aguas pluviales y nuevas
narmotivos para edificar
mos alto.
1 O. MIAMI BEACH
IS HERE TO HELP.
The Building Deportment
offers free technical
assistance to identify
ways to reduce flood
hazards.
Coll 305.673.7610
to learn more.
El Departamento de
Construcci6n ofrece
asistencia tecnica gratuita
para identificor las maneras
de reducir las riesgos de
inundaci6n. Llame al
305.673.7610 para
obtener mos informaci6n.
2. PROTECT YOUR
PROPERTY WITH
FLOOD INSURANCE.
It's required by federally
bocked mortgages. The City
saves you 20%, or $6 million
dollars annually, in flood
insurance premiums through
top tier performance in the
Community Roting System
(CRS). For more informotion,
check Floodsmort.gov
Esta requerida por hipotecas
Financiadas con fondos
federales. A troves def
desempeno de nivel superior en
el Sistema de Calificaci6n de la
Comunidad (CRS), la Ciudad le
ahorra un 20%, o $ 6 mil/ones
de d6/ares anuales en
primas de seguro
contra inundaciones.
Para obtener ---...
m6s informoci6n,
visite
Floodsmart.gov
9. FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
3. BE SMART IF YOU
SEE FLOOD WATERS!
Avoid driving through or
coming in contact with
flood waters. Make sure
you ore tuned into Miami
Beach social media ond
local weather alerts.
No circule con su vehiculo ni
vaya caminando par areas
donde haya inundaciones.
Mantengase informado a
troves de las redes socio/es y
las alertas meteoro/6gicas
locales de Miami Beach.
MIAMI BEACH
RISING
ABOVE
Relief is ovoiloble for
properties that hove
experienced damage.
Learn more by contacting
the Grants Office at
305.673.7510.
8. KEEP IT CLEAN!
Alivio para las propiedades
que hon sufrido donas. Puede
obtener mos informaci6n
poniendose en contacto con la
Oficina de Subvenciones en el
telefono 305.673.7510.
Don't litter! Keep storm drains
clear of litter and debris to
prevent flooding and keep
Biscayne Boy clean. Report
issues to the free Miami Beach
e-Gov opp or coll
305.604.CITY.
No tire basura. Mantenga las
desagiies limpios de basura y
escombros para evitar
inundaciones y no bole basura a
Biscayne Bay. Reporte sabre los
problemas a troves de la opp
gratuita Miami Beach e-Gov o
/lame al telefono 305.604.CITY.
4. KEEP YOUR HOME AND
BELONGINGS DRY.
Consider elevating
important appliances, like
washers and dryers. Chose
materials, such as tile
flooring as opposed to
wood, that ore resistant to
water damage.
Ponga en alto los
electrodomesticos importantes
coma la lavadora y la
secadora. Para los suelos o
pisos eli;a baldosas en lugar de
madera, ya que se trata de un
material mos resistente a los
donas causados por
el agua.
7. HAVE A PLAN!
SOUTH FLORIDA CAN
EXPERIENCE FLOODING
FROM HURRICANES
AND KING TIDES
Know your evacuation
routes, and how to
protect yourself and
your loved ones.
Canozca las rutas de
evacuaci6n y fa manera de
protegerse a usted mismo ya
sus seres queridos.
S. BUILD RESILIENTLY.
Follow the Florida Building
Code to reduce flood risk.
An elevation certificate
provides your property's
elevations, and con
potentially lower your
insurance premiums. The
City may hove these for
properties built ofter
1995. Coll 305.673.7610
to learn more.
Siga las normas def C6digo
de Construcci6n de Florida
para reducir el riesgo de
inundaciones. Un certificado
de elevaci6n do la altura
exacta de su propiedad, y
puede potencialmente reducir
el costo de/ seguro contra
inundaciones. Es posible que
la Ciudad tenga estos
certificados disponibles para
propiedades construidas
despues de 1995. Llame al
305.673.7610 para
obtener mas informaci6n.
6. OUR NATURAL
SYSTEMS PROTECT US
AGAINST FLOODS.
Beach sand dunes and
vegetation, coral reefs,
and green open areas
ore natural flood barriers.
Las dunas de arena y la
vegetaci6n de las pfayas, los
arrecifes de coral y las zonas
verdes son barreras naturales
contra las inundaciones.
07.26.17
WHAT TO DO
BEFORE, DURING,
AND AFTE A F OD.
Miami Beach is a beautiful coastal community. Our sun kissed island is surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic
Ocean and Biscayne Bay. Miami Beach is leading the way locally and nationally to reduce flood risk and we want
you to be aware of flood risk from major rain events and storm surge. It is our goal that all of Miami Beach -whether
public roads or private homes -is the best position possible before, during, and after potential flooding.
BEFORE A FLOOD
tc+l
m
®
@
D
· 930/o of buildings in Miami Beach are located in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Understand your flood
risk, know your flood zone, and consider obtaining an elevation certificate to evaluate your property flood risk.
·Make sure you are tuned into Miami Beach social media and local weather alerts. Report any flooding to the city
via thee-Gov app or by calling 305.604.CITY.
·Locate your flood insurance policy to be ready in the case you may need to file a claim for damage.
·Protect your non-residential building with flood barriers.
·Elevate mechanical equipment and appliances, as able, if you anticipate that waters may enter areas such as your
garage.
·Avoid parking your vehicle in low lying areas-move it to higher ground, such as a parking garage.
·Don't litter. Keep public storm drains clear. Report issues to the Miami Beach e-gov app or call 305.604.CITY.
· Have a hurricane and flood preparation plan. Know your evacuation route.
·Contact the Building Department 305.673.761 O and Public Works Department 305.673.7080 for technical advice
on how to reduce flood hazard.
Turn this page over for more Information. e
DURING A FLOOD
·Be smart if you see flood waters! Stay safe -avoid driving through or coming in contact with flood waters. Six inches of
fast flowing water can knock you off your feet and less than a meter of water can float car.
·Flood water can be contaminated with sewage or other pollutants. There could also be hazards below the surface,
like debris, that you cannot see.
AFTER A FLOOD • ........
)i{·.o
(r~
FEMA
· Report any flood damage to your insurance agent.
· Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
·Wash your car, including the undercarriage, if it came in contact with flood waters.
· Rinse landscaping if it came into contact with flood waters.
·Don't enter a flooded building until it's been cleared by local authorities.
·Take pictures of the damage. Document both the building and contents
·Mitigate while you repair-make changes to prevent the risk of water damage in the event of any future flood events.
·Stay Alert-Continue monitoring the status of a flood or high tide via social media, television or radio., report flooding to
the City via thee-Gov app or by calling 305.604 CITY
·If your house is in a flood zone and is damaged and/or improved to an amount greater than 50% of its building market
value, the lowest floor will have to be raised to meet the current elevation requirement. Call the Building Department at
305.673.761 Oto learn more.
· FEMA financial assistance is available for repetitive loss and substantial damage properties. Call the Grants office at
305.673.7510 to learn more.
MIAMI BEACH
RISING
ABOVE www.mbrisingabove.com