Preparing for Hurricane Isaias

WATCH Executive Director Drew Bartlett with a final briefing of Hurricane Isaias:

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South Florida Water Management District (District) water managers and meteorologists are closely monitoring Hurricane Isaias and preparing the District’s water management system for potential rainfall that may impact our 16-county area. Based on current forecasts, we are proactively lowering our canals to pre-storm levels to allow the flood control system to operate at full capacity if needed. 

Flood control throughout South Florida relies on a primary system that the District operates and secondary and tertiary systems local governments and local drainage operators operate. The District’s system is ready for the additional rainfall, and SFWMD has strongly encouraged all local governments and local drainage operators to also proactively monitor the storm and prepare their systems. 

Residents are reminded that during and after significant rainfall, water in streets, swales, yards and low-lying areas is expected. If you experience an increasing amount of water that is impacting your home, report this flooding to your local drainage district. Go to www.sfwmd/stormupdate. Scroll to bottom of page and type your address in the Local Contact Viewer to find the contact information.

Residents can help reduce the risk of flooding in their communities. Here are a few things you can do:

Check ditches and swales in your neighborhood to ensure they are free of debris.
Learn who you should report flooding to at SFWMD.gov/StormUpdate.
Secure/store objects that can easily blow away.

Don’t trim your trees or create yard debris until after this storm has passed.
Check community retention ponds and lakes for debris and any obstructions to pipes and contact the appropriate authority for removal (could be your HOA, city, county, or local drainage district).

Check out the infographic below for a close-up look at the interconnected drainage system and how flood control in South Florida is a shared responsibility between the District, county and city governments, local drainage districts, homeowner associations and residents. 

INFOGRAPHIC: Rain Drain: What to expect in your neighborhood when it rains [PDF]

Navigational Lock Closures:

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will close all navigational locks it maintains to public access starting Saturday morning to ensure the safety of the boating public and prevent damage to the locks. Below is a list of the affected locks with corresponding closure dates and times.

The following locks will close at the end of regular operating hours on Friday, July 31:

Okeechobee County: S-193 boat lock, Taylor Creek
Martin County: S-135 boat lock, J&S Fish Camp
Okeechobee County: G-36 boat lock, Henry Creek
Okeechobee County: S-193 boat lock, Taylor Creek
Okeechobee County: S-65D boat lock, Kissimmee River
Okeechobee County: S-65E boat lock, Kissimmee River
Glades County: S-127 boat lock, Buckhead Ridge and S-131 boat lock, Lakeport

The following locks will close at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 1:

Hendry County: S-310 boat lock, Clewiston

The following locks will close at the end of normal operational hours on Saturday, August 1:

Polk County: S-65 boat lock, Lake Kissimmee
Polk County: S-65A boat lock, Kissimmee River
Polk County: S-61 boat lock, Lake Tohopekaliga

The locks are expected to reopen on Monday, as conditions warrant, after Hurricane Isaias passes South Florida.

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