Dania Beach, a town that was deluged by last year’s record-breaking flood along with Fort Lauderdale, wants to be ready for the next big storm.
With storms growing ever more intense, city leaders approved the purchase of two high-water vehicles that will help Broward sheriff’s deputies rescue stranded motorists and residents.
“If we ever get hit with another one in a 1,000-year storm, we are going to be ready and we are going to be prepared,” City Manager Ana Garcia said.
The storm that hit on April 12, 2023, dumped more than 21 inches of rain in Dania Beach in a matter of hours, flooding homes, streets and vehicles.
“There were areas that were hard to get to,” Garcia said. “A lot of people rolled up their pants and they walked through knee-deep water.”
The trucks — both are 2024 models of the 6.6-Liter Chevy Silverado 3500HD Duramax Diesel — will help first responders navigate deep floodwaters in the next storm, Vice Mayor Lori Lewellen said.
“These trucks are two more resources, especially knowing that these storms are happening more frequently,” Lewellen said.
Dania Beach is the first city that contracts with the Sheriff’s Office to have such a vehicle in its fleet.
The total cost for each truck, including emergency equipment and lift kits, comes to $81,363.50. Both trucks are equipped with high water tires, emergency lighting, receiver towing hitch, mount grill guard, rock rail step-ups, electronic brake controller and fox off-road shocks.
Dania Beach is also on a mission to upgrade its stormwater drainage system to better handle king tides and intense weather events.
“This summer we’re going to break ground on a $30 million southeast drainage project,” Garcia said. “We have eight projects in the pipeline citywide.”
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan
