PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -- Preparations are underway to protect South Florida from potential flooding as meteorologists closely watch a system developing near the northernmost Leeward Islands.
The South Florida Water Management District is already beginning to release water from area canals into the ocean.
District Spokesperson Randy Smith said water would likely be released from canals in Miami Dade into the ocean beginning Wednesday night.
“You’re preparing for what likely is more than a summer thunderstorm,” Smith said.
By Friday, water from canals in Broward, Palm Beach and Martin Counties will also be released into the ocean.
Smith says several billion gallons of water will be released to make room for the threat of heavy rain and runoff.
“It creates room in the canals to take all the storm water that's anticipated when it hits the parking lots and the yards,” Smith said.
The South Florida Water Management District is closely watching the development of the potential storm and evaluating if it will impact South Florida.
Some West Palm Beach residents are also making potential flooding preparations.
“To be prepared, I have plenty of water and non perishable food,” said resident Kevin Ryan.
He is prepared to be stuck at home if flooding is bad on his street. He says his Pineapple Park neighborhood often floods during heavy rain showers.
“There’s just one drain on this street,” Ryan said.
If the forecast for heavy rain becomes more likely, he’s ready to put a plan into place.
“We have to make a conscious decision during a storm. If you wait too long the core group of us can’t get out.”
Smith says the SFWMD is hoping not to have to back pump water into Lake Okeechobee to lower canal levels.
By lowering the levels early, he believes they will not have to risk raising lake levels.