Whether Tropical Storm Erika comes to South Florida, public works crews are working as if the storm is already on our doorstep.
Heavy duty vacuums and sweepers were fanned across North Miami Beach to unclog drains to help prevent a flood.
"The bigger issues we've resolved, these are just superficial issues and we can take care of those issues quickly because we started once we heard a storm was coming," said Esmond Scott, Director of North Miami Beach Public Works.
But not all preps are on the ground. City leaders said police, fire, public works and the parks department have been trimming trees, making sandbags and talking to residents since Erika became a storm.
"Ensuring that all construction sites are secured, anything can be a missile out there in regards to a storm. We're all aware of what a Category 1 can do. So we're very prepared," said City Manager Ana Garcia.
Now the message is make sure you and your family are ready: Have plenty of food and water, your prescriptions and a safe place to ride out the potential storm, if Erika does come to South Florida.
"Once this storm starts and the roads flood or there's branches down, we don't need these cars out there and we don't need people taking chances that later on our police and first responders have to go out and save someone from a mistake they put themselves in," said Mayor George Vallejo.
Local
For more information on being prepared for a hurricane, click here.
