Heavy rainfall is expected to impact our area starting tomorrow, October 6.

A Flood Watch will be in effect for Miami Beach from 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 6 through the morning of Thursday, October 10.

Separately, the National Hurricane Center has issued an advisory for Tropical Storm Milton in the southwest Gulf of Mexico. The Miami Beach Fire Department's Division of Emergency Management is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Milton, which is expected to develop into a hurricane before making landfall midweek. The system is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane as it moves slowly east. The earliest reasonable arrival time of Tropical Storm force winds to Miami Beach is Tuesday night. Areas of heavy rainfall will impact our area Sunday and Monday ahead of Milton, followed by heavy rainfall directly related to the storm expected later Tuesday and into Wednesday night.

For real-time weather updates, please visit the National Weather Service's website or the National Hurricane Center's website. You can also follow NWS Miami on Facebook or X.

View our webpage for more information on understanding flood alerts.

Parking Garages Will Open to Residents and Employees of Miami Beach Businesses

The Miami Beach Parking Department will open public garages for residents and employees of Miami Beach businesses wishing to keep their cars out of flood-prone areas.

Residents and employees of Miami Beach businesses can park vehicles at no cost starting on Sunday, October 6 at 11 a.m. until (tentatively) Thursday, October 10 at 8 a.m. Proof of residency or employment when exiting the parking facility is required. Non-residents may use any available city parking garage, however, standard rates still apply.  

Available Parking Garages:

200 7 Street

512 12 Street

1301 Collins Avenue

1557 Washington Avenue

640 17 Street

1661 Pennsylvania Avenue

1900 Bay Road

340 23 Street

400 West 42 Street

The garages at the Miami Beach Convention Center (1901 Convention Center Drive), 5 Street & Alton Road (550 Lenox Avenue), and City Hall (1755 Meridian Avenue) will not be included.

In the event the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a Flash Flood Warning or Flash Flood Emergency for Miami Beach, the city’s two approved towing companies — Beach Towing and Tremont Towing — will offer a $50 towing service for any Miami Beach resident whose vehicle was impacted by flooding to any location within city limits. Residents must provide proof of residency and their vehicle registration address must match their driver’s license.

Free Sandbag Distribution

The City of Miami Beach will be hosting a free sandbag distribution event tomorrow, October 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at two surface parking lot locations: 2100 Collins Avenue (east of Collins Park) and 225 79 Street.

Sandbags will be pre-filled and there is a limit of 4 per household, while supplies last. Residents are required to show proof of residency via a government-issued ID or utility bill.

As a reminder, only dry sandbags can be stored for reuse. Sandbags exposed to floodwaters may have come into contact with contaminants or pollutants and should be disposed of with care. After a flooding event, please place used sandbags curbside during the city-announced pickup period. Do not empty sandbags onto beaches or into drains. Remember, taking sand from our beaches is prohibited. The sand and dunes are the city’s first line of defense against storm surge. 

City Efforts

In anticipation of the rainfall, our Public Works stormwater team has been cleaning the entire storm drain system, including pump stations. The team is prepared to respond to any reports of flooding as quickly as possible. Nine temporary pumps have been deployed in low-lying areas, and starting Monday, October 6, seven vactor trucks will be available to assist with removing standing water and cleaning stormwater structures. In addition to our existing stormwater infrastructure, which includes 48 permanent pump stations, additional resources are available around the clock for the next several days.

Learn more about why extreme rain events cause flooding and how rainfall drains through our pump systems.

City Event Cancellations

• MBPD's Night Out event scheduled for Tuesday, October 8 at 5 p.m. has been canceled.

Storm Drains

Help alleviate flooding in your neighborhood! While our Public Works team cleans our stormwater system every year — with some drains being cleaned on a quarterly basis — you can do your part to keep storm drains clear of litter and debris to prevent flooding and protect Biscayne Bay.

If you notice a catch basin near your home gathering debris, lend a helping hand. Grab a broom, shovel or a pair of gloves and take a few minutes to remove any debris such as palm fronds, leaves or other yard waste that may block the drain. This simple act can ensure our drainage systems remain operational during a rain event.