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South Florida cities take proactive measures ahead of Helene

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South Florida cities take proactive measures ahead of Helene


MIAMI – Helene may not be impacting South Florida directly, but some cities are being proactive ahead of expected heavy rains and possible flooding. 

The City of Hollywood is managing water levels, with a backup plan to redirect excess water and Miami is clearing storm drains to prevent flooding. Additionally, sandbags are being made available for free in select cities.

Michael Sloan lives off North 14th Avenue in Hollywood, an area known for flooding. 

“I don’t rely on other people to get things done for me. I rely on myself first,” he said. 

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He knows when we get a big rain, he could be facing rising water and he’s ready. 

“All my sandbags are all sitting back here if I decide to use them,” Sloan said.

He also constructed homemade flood barriers to block potential flood water from getting into his home.  

Just steps away from his home, Hollywood is working on a project to pump water off the road and into nearby Eco golf course. They’ve been cleaning out and expanding trenches and swales. 

“We’ve seen tremendous success with the levels of water coming in for storms. So, we already know that what we’re doing is working. So, we just want to make sure it continues to stay in that direction,” said Hollywood spokesperson Arlene Borenstein. 

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With the ground already saturated from recent rain, there’s a backup plan if needed. 

“We’ve had a lot of water the last couple of days. So, what we might do if need be is shift and redirect the water onto the golf course,” Borenstein said.

In Miami, like many cities, crews are clearing out storm drains, making sure they can handle heavy rain if it comes our way. 

“It’s obvious that there are some debris that keeps falling into there, and that’s what we do just to clean it up. And it is extremely important so that then the water can flow and avoid those big floodings that we have seen in the past,” said Miami Spokeswoman Kenia Fallat. 

And they’re paying close attention to areas known for flooding. 

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“We have areas in Miami that tend to flood along the Biscayne Boulevard corridor. So in anticipation of that, we have our temporary and our permanent pumps already on standby, in the event that we do see some flooding,” Fallat said. 

Hollywood, Dania Beach and Fort Lauderdale are offering free sandbags to residents. 

Hollywood is also allowing residents to park in city garages for free if they’re concerned about flooding. 

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Miami, FL

Hundreds of Caribbean flights canceled, leaving travelers stranded at Miami International Airport

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Hundreds of Caribbean flights canceled, leaving travelers stranded at Miami International Airport


Travel disruptions continued Sunday at Miami International Airport after hundreds of flights to and from the Caribbean were canceled, leaving passengers stranded, separated from their luggage, and scrambling to salvage vacation plans.

The Federal Aviation Administration closed airspace in and around Venezuela following the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, triggering a ripple effect across Caribbean travel routes.

By Sunday, long lines had formed inside MIA as travelers waited hours to track down luggage that had been sent ahead — even though their flights never took off.

“As you can see, there’s a lot of people, and apparently thousands and thousands of bags,” said Jennifer Heimann, who was traveling from Tampa.

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Heimann and her family were scheduled to sail on a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands. Their flight to St. Thomas was canceled, but their luggage still made the trip.

“They said, ‘Your bags are in St. Thomas,’ and I said, ‘Wait — our bags are there and we’re not?’” Heimann said. “We can’t even get a flight until Thursday, and they just sent the bags ahead.”

The family is now renting a car to drive back to Tampa and hoping their luggage eventually finds its way home.

Similar frustrations were echoed by other travelers across the terminal.

The Cookson family, traveling from Tyler, Texas, had their flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico canceled just before they were set to board a cruise.

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“They’re shipping our bags out to the Caribbean and not allowing us to retrieve them,” said Pamela Cookson. “We don’t know when we’re going to get our luggage.”

American Airlines says it added six additional flights out of Miami, bringing the total to roughly two dozen extra flights and nearly 5,000 additional seats to help impacted customers. Even so, many passengers told CBS News Miami the earliest rebooking available wasn’t until Thursday.

Susan Daniel, traveling from Little Rock, Arkansas to St. Croix, said the delays forced her family to make last-minute arrangements.

“We had to Uber, leave our bags, get an Airbnb, then come back today, take another Uber, and stand in this long line just to hopefully get our bags and our computers — everything we need,” Daniel said.

Some travelers reported waiting hours in one line, only to be directed into another long wait for their luggage. Others tried to make the best of the situation.

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“Guess we’re vacationing in Miami now for three days or something like that,” said Jake Boylin, who was traveling from St. Louis. “Then going back home and rescheduling the trip.”

The next unanswered question for many travelers: whether they’ll be reimbursed for canceled trips, hotels, and cruises.

Travel experts advise passengers to keep all receipts and documentation in case refunds or reimbursements become available.



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Venezuela supporters join Cuban Americans in Miami show of solidarity

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Venezuela supporters join Cuban Americans in Miami show of solidarity


In Little Havana, Cuban and Venezuelan Americans gathered outside an iconic restaurant to show solidarity following the removal of Nicolás Maduro. Crowds waved Cuban and Venezuelan flags throughout the afternoon and evening, describing the moment as one they had hoped for over decades.



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Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputy opens fire on vehicle after altercation during traffic stop, officials say

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Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputy opens fire on vehicle after altercation during traffic stop, officials say



An investigation is underway in Northwest Miami-Dade after the sheriff’s office said a deputy opened fire after an altercation occurred during a traffic stop on Sunday night.

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According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, a deputy received an alert about a stolen vehicle Sunday evening and eventually located the vehicle in the area of NW 17th Avenue and NW 95th Street in West Little River and conducted a traffic stop.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said that as the deputy approached the vehicle, an altercation began, and the deputy opened fire, striking the vehicle.

That vehicle then fled the scene and was located nearby.

The sheriff’s office said a gun was located inside the vehicle, and the driver fled the scene.

That person is still at large as of early Monday morning, officials said.

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The deputy was not injured in the incident, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).



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