Tomorrow, June 1 is the start of the annual Atlantic hurricane season. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) works year-round to protect communities from flooding and ensure South Florida's primary flood control system is ready for storms. South Florida has an interconnected drainage system, and flood control in South Florida is a shared responsibility between the District, county and city governments, local drainage districts, HOAs, and residents. Did you know there are five things you can do right now to prepare for hurricane season?
- Make sure drainage gates, ditches and swales in your neighborhood are clear of debris.
- Trim your trees and remove dead vegetation in your yard. Do not trim trees if a major storm is in the forecast.
- Check your community retention pond or lake for obstructed pipes and contact the appropriate authority for removal (could be your HOA, city, county, or local drainage district).
- Find out who is responsible for drainage in your community. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl.
- Make a personal plan for hurricane preparedness. Learn more at Floridadisaster.org.
If a major storm is approaching the region, the SFWMD may take a range of steps to ensure the primary system can receive rainwater from local drainage systems. You may see canals or lakes lower than normal before storms as water managers temporarily “draw down” the system to create more room for anticipated storm water. Since local governments, drainage districts, and HOAs are primarily responsible for drainage in your community, we also encourage them to ensure their pumps and systems are routinely tested and ready to handle storm events.
Read more about what to expect in your neighborhood when it rains. Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest information.