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St. Lucie County works to prevent flooding ahead of Milton

The county storm drainage system can only handle 4 to 6 inches of water an hour
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In St. Lucie County, crews spent the day clearing drains and canals of any blockages.

All of this rain ahead of Hurricane Milton is only making their jobs harder.

The county’s biggest concern right now: the rain.

Residents are being asked to clear out their culverts to prevent further flooding.

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The ground is very saturated from days of rain.

County crews are staging pumps in flood-prone areas to help control the water.

Erick Gill, communications director for St. Lucie County, said the storm drainage system can only handle 4 to 6 inches of water an hour.

“If you think about a funnel, if you're pouring into a funnel and you pour it too quickly, then it's going to spill,” said Gill. “Those swales and roads are meant to be the secondary collectors of that rainfall to keep it out of homes and businesses.”

Remember: When you see flooded streets, do not drive into the water.

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TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

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HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.