Coastal Connection has reported before on the problems, present and potential, that confront Miami, Florida, as the local sea level rises (see "Two Great Cities, Two Sea-Level Rise Problems," 8/26/14). This month, Miami Beach public works authorities are taking measures to deal with rising water by installing heavy-duty pumps in low-lying locations to remove salt water that floods the areas during high tides.
The Miami Herald has a report (see "Miami Beach shows off new anti-flooding pumps," by Joey Flechas). Reports the Herald: "The city is working to have five pumping stations in the southwestern part of the island running by the time the so-called "king tides" arrive around Oct. 9. The expedited projects come in anticipation of a higher king tide than last year, which is projected to rise to nearly four feet. Beach streets start to flood at around three feet."
"Eric Carpenter, Miami Beach's public works director, said each pump can move 14,000 gallons of water per minute," the Herald reports. "Mayor Philip Levine told a gaggle of city officials and reporters that the construction projects mark the beginning of a long-term effort to battle sea-level rise."
The new pumps are a first installment of a planned 58-pump system, reports Miami TV station WSVN 7 News (see "Miami Beach prepares for extreme high tides," by Jennifer Kay/AP). Levine told reporter Ashley Morrison: "We are installing pumps city-wide on a very well-orchestrated, well-organized plan to keep our city dry … we will not be happy until every road is dry… It won't be easy. But you gotta start somewhere."
