Despite rain forecast, Miamians were caught off guard. Is it time for new warning system? | Opinion

Luisa Yanez
·2 min read

The three-day deluge of rain and street flooding Miami-Dade and Broward experienced this week should be an eye-opener to our local leaders.

And the takeaway should be: How can we better alert our residents to prepare for these torrential storms, super-charged by climate change, that create flash flooding across two counties, cripple highways, trap us in our homes, soak our roofs and ruin our vehicles? Just ask car insurance companies how many car engines flooded in South Florida this week.

It may be time to create a power rating for flooding, just as we do for hurricanes. Should we expect a Cat 1 or a Cat 5 flood? Given the extent of our flooding this week, it felt like a Cat 4.

Once tallied, the property damage caused this week might resemble that caused by a hurricane. It prompted Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency for our “rain event,“ and FEMA, which helps in natural disasters, had to be called in.

Yes, TV forecasters and newspapers warned of “lots of rain” for three days. It’s South Florida at the cusp of summer, many of us thought. We left our homes Tuesday, unaware that we were lambs about to be led into a water slaughter. Or was there no way to warn anyone of how such a storm would develop?

So, should residents get more than a warning about a “100% chance of rain today?” Has traditional forecasting become outdated in our new weather event reality?

There should be a more accurate way to translate the potential flooding damage we’ll be exposed to when we leave home.

Here’s a possible ranking:

Cat 1 Flooding: Possible sporadic street flooding. Use caution and be alert.

Cat 2 Flooding: There is a high chance of encountering flooded intersections in certain traditional vulnerable areas.

CAT 3 Flooding: Street flooding is extensive throughout Miami-Dade and Broward. You may encounter damaging street flooding.

Cat 4 Flooding: Do not leave your home. The chance that your vehicle will be overwhelmed.

Cat 5 Flooding: Catastrophic property damage expected.

What do you think?

Please email me at lyanez@miamiherald.com with your ideas on how forecasters and local governments can better help us survive this new weather reality.

Luisa Yanez is a member of the Miami Herald Editorial Board and its Op-Ed editor.

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