Officials say Miami Beach pumps are temporary fix to flooding

$15 million worth of pumps placed throughout city

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – The King Tides are in South Florida, leaving behind little flooding on Miami Beach. Still, officials point out that the construction being done is a temporary fix, and rising sea levels is an issue South Florida will continue to deal with.

At this time last year, parking lots were underwater and cars were flooded. But on Thursday, when the tide was supposed to reach its peak, $15 million worth of pumps continued to prevent the salt water from coming onto the streets.

"The projections are by the end of the century it (the tide) could be as much as 2 to 3 feet if we don't change our policies," said U.S. Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.

Nelson said 75 percent of Florida's population lives on the coast, so if the government doesn't come up with a long-term solution we could have major problems.

"That means that most of the population of Florida will be inundated with water," said Nelson.

Meanwhile, residents living in Miami Beach are taking it one day at time, and are thankful they're staying dry.

"Last year, we had water up to knees – it was all over the place," said Florida International University professor Robert Gutsche. "The city is now doing a wonderful job."

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