WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - With Hurricane season officially starting today, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has been preparing South Florida's massive flood control system over the last several months.
During the annual wet season (typically May 15 - Oct. 15), South Florida typically receives about 36 inches or about 70 percent of its average annual amount of rainfall, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The cycle of sea breeze systems and daily thunderstorms that are hallmarks of the wet season can sometimes develop much sooner than the official start date.
Due to the interconnected system of drainage canals in South Florida, flood control is a shared responsibility between the District, county and city governments, local drainage districts, homeowners associations and residents.
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Click on the image to see an infographic explaining how the interconnected flood control system in South Florida works. |
SFWMD operates and maintains the regional water management system known as the Central and Southern Florida Project, which was authorized by Congress more than 60 years ago to protect communities from floods and droughts. This primary system of canals and natural waterways connect to community drainage districts and hundreds of smaller neighborhood systems to effectively manage floodwaters during heavy rain.
In preparation for the rainy season, water managers are hard at work readying the entire regional flood control system, encompassing more than 2,000 miles of canals and more than 600 water control structures. The District recently conducted its annual "Hurricane Freddy" exercise where staff participate in response to a mock storm scenario. SFWMD crews are continuously engaged in maintenance projects to ensure the flood control system operates at peak performance.
For updates on storm preparations and SFWMD's general preparations for the coming rainy season:
