R9AP Miami Beach FloodingAl Diaz / Miami Herald Al Diaz / Miami Herald
Miami Beach Flooding
June 11-13, 2024
After Action
Report is
Ordered by City
Administration
An After Action
Report was ordered
by City Admin due to
the “unexpected”
flooding
Sun, June 16
@ 5:13 pm
State of
Emergency
declared in
Miami Beach
A local State of
Emergency is
declared, sandbags
are handed out, and
public garages are
open to all residents.
Thu, June 13,
@ 2:00 pm
Severe flooding
occurs in
Miami Beach
The most severe
flooding occurs
during the afternoon
and evening hours in
Miami Beach.
Wed, June 12,
All day
Sunday, June 9
7-10 inches of rain forecast (with locally higher amounts possible)
Flood Watch issued
June 10 @ 3:33 pm
Monday, June 10
Flash Flood
Warning issued
Tuesday, June
11 @ 3:00 pm
Tuesday, June 11
Wed, June 12
Tide
Rainfall
Wed, June 12
85th & Byron Credit: Maizie Kelly Bay Dr & Brest Esplanade Credit: Commissioner Tanya Bhatt
Wed, June 12
MB Resident Home 6400 Blk Indian Creek Dr (Credit: Blanca Villarello)
Wed, June 12
Thursday, June 13
Parking Concerns
●7-10 inches (or more) of rain was forecasted on June 9.
●The Parking Flood Relief Program was activated on June 11, only
for registered residents in 2 city parking garages, and a text
message was not sent out.
●Not until June 13 were parking garages open to all residents, a
State of Emergency declared, and sandbags distributed.
Resident responses to City’s Facebook post:
City Response
●Why were portable pumps ordered after the start of Hurricane season?
On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, the City ordered 5 portable bypass pumps for the rainy
season. 2 of the 5 pumps arrived on June 13, a day after the flash flooding.
●7-10 inches of rain were forecast on Sunday, June 9. Why weren’t drains cleared
and stormwater systems serviced on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (June 9th-11th)
before the storm?
“The Public Works Infrastructure Division cleans the entire stormwater system
annually,”...”We ensure that Hot Spot stormwater areas are serviced before heavy rains,
and drains are clear of debris.”
●Why weren’t sandbags handed out before the flooding?
Sandbag distribution was up and running on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at two locations –
21st Street Surface Parking Lot and 79th Street Parking Lot.
●Why weren’t the parking garages open earlier?
The City activated the existing Parking Flood Relief Program (for pre-registered residents
only) on June 11th, but no text was sent out. The program is specific to two city garages.
As weather conditions worsened, all garages were finally made available for residents.
Communications
Flood watch issued:
June 10
Texted:June 11
Flash Flood
Warning issued:
June 11
Texted:June 12
Floods end: June 12
Sandbags, State of
Emergency and
garages open to all:
Text sent on June 13
Conclusion
The City of Miami Beach must learn
from its shortcomings, be quicker to
communicate and begin disaster
preparations further in advance.
Hurricane season is coming and we
must be prepared.