Thursday, November 12, 2020 / 11:00 a.m.

City Facilities Update
Effective today, Oak Hammock Park and Cypress Preserve Park (with the exception of the disc golf course) are open. The entire course at The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club is also open (cart path only). Sawgrass Sanctuary, Oscar Wind Park and the Sunrise Civic Center Aquatics Complex remain closed until further notice.

Tuesday, November 10, 2020 / 10:30 a.m.

City Facilities Reopened
City of Sunrise facilities - including most parks, the Sunrise Civic Center Athletic Club and the Sunrise Tennis Club - reopened and normal operations resumed today. Administrative offices reopened for business virtually; however, facilities remain closed to the public due to COVID-19 precautions. 

The following facilities will remain closed until further notice: 

• Cypress Preserve Park 
• Oak Hammock Park 
•  Oscar Wind Park
• Sawgrass Sanctuary
•  Sunrise Civic Center Aquatics Complex 
•  The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club (course only; restaurant reopened) 

Garbage, Recycling and Bulk Trash Collection Resumed
As roadway conditions permit, garbage, recycling and bulk trash collection resumed today. Please bring your garbage, recycling and bulk trash to the curb on your next regularly-scheduled pickup day. Anyone who missed collection on Monday, November 9th, will receive service on their next regularly-scheduled collection day. 

Recovering from Tropical Storm Eta
Tropical Storm Eta produced an excessive amount of rainfall for the past several days, impacting all of southeast Florida. The City of Sunrise and its Utilities Department have worked around the clock in preparation for and response to this storm, collaborating with the South Florida Water Management District and Central and South Broward Drainage District officials to coordinate pumping and other efforts to appropriately respond to the conditions many Sunrise residents are experiencing. 

Many of our streets and canals have received an excess of their capacity to retain and discharge this rain water. These systems rely on downstream conditions managed by the Drainage Districts; the City does not control these systems. As a result, the City of Sunrise is receiving and discharging or treating two to three times the storm and sanitary sewer flow rates our facilities normally receive, so many of them are surcharged (or overloaded) with 6 to 12 inches of additional water across those contributing areas. 

The City is closely monitoring each area and station, and our staff continues to provide effective and rapid emergency response through use of pumps, vacuum trucks and other mechanical equipment; however, we will have limited capacity to fully relieve these conditions until the rainfall subsides for several hours to several days. We apologize for the inconvenience and assure you we are doing everything we can reasonably do to reduce these impacts on our residents.  

If You Must Go Out, Drive Carefully
As you return to the road, please drive slowly and with extreme care. Do not drive through any standing water. If you are driving and come to an area covered in water, you may not be able to make a reliable estimate of the depth or the condition of the ground underneath it. This is especially true at night. Standing water can hide: 

• Large potholes
• Sharp debris that could puncture tires 
• Power lines that could cause electrocution 
• Road hazards and deep water 
• Chemicals or unknown waste 

Please use caution and allow yourself extra time to take detours if necessary. When you encounter a flooded area, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” 

To report localized flooding, contact the City of Sunrise Public Works Division at 954-572-2388 or publicworks@sunrisefl.gov (monitored during and after business hours). 
 
City of Sunrise employees are hard at work to reduce standing water and ensure your safety. This could take a few days due to the significant amount of rainfall experienced over the last two weeks. Please exercise caution and stay informed as we continue our recovery together. 

Monday, November 9, 2020 / 12:30 p.m.

City Facilities Closed
For the safety of residents and staff, all City of Sunrise facilities - including parks, pools, the Sunrise Athletic Club, the Sunrise Tennis Club, and administrative offices - are closed on Monday, November 9th. Normal operations are expected to resume on Tuesday, November 10th.

Garbage, Recycling and Bulk Trash Collection Cancelled
Garbage, recycling and bulk trash collection is cancelled on Monday, November 9th, due to standing water and inclement weather. Please keep all garbage and recycling carts, as well as bulk trash, inside until your next regularly-scheduled pickup day. Collection is expected to resume on Tuesday, November 10th.

The Sawgrass Mills mall is closed due to flooding in parking areas.

Recovering from Tropical Storm Eta
Tropical Storm Eta is a significant rain event that continues to cause flooding across South Florida. In many parts of Broward County, where the soil was already saturated from prior rain, it could take several days for the water to recede. Please be patient – and please do not drive unless it is absolutely essential.

City of Sunrise employees are working around the clock to alleviate standing water, and to address other critical concerns. Prior to the storm, our Public Works team:

• Lowered lake levels within the permitted regulation to create capacity for expected heavy rainfall.
• Inspected key parts of the stormwater system to increase the efficiency of drainage.
• Ensured adequate fuel supplies for pump stations and other equipment.
• Prepared staff and equipment for storm assignments.
• Communicated with the SFWMD (South Florida Water Management District) regarding the District’s pumping of primary canals.

We continue to coordinate with the SFWMD as they work to lower their canal levels, and are taking all measures possible to mitigate the 11 inches of rain our area received yesterday and overnight. This includes pumping water from flooded streets in neighborhoods with drainage challenges.

Hazards from the storm have not yet passed. Residents are urged to stay indoors; do not drive unless it is absolutely essential. If you must drive, please drive very slowly and with extreme care. Do not drive through any standing water. If you are driving and come to an area covered in water, you may not be able to make a reliable estimate of the depth or the condition of the ground underneath it. This is especially true at night. Standing water can hide:

• Sharp debris that could puncture tires or animals that could harm you
• Power lines that could cause electrocution
• Chemicals or unknown waste

Please use caution and allow yourself extra time to take detours if necessary. When you encounter a flooded area, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

To report localized flooding, contact the City of Sunrise Public Works Division at 954-572-2388 or publicworks@sunrisefl.gov (monitored during and after business hours).
 
City of Sunrise employees are hard at work to reduce standing water and ensure your safety. This could take a few days due to the significant amount of rainfall experienced over the last two weeks. Please exercise caution and stay informed as we continue our recovery together. 

Sunday, November 8, 2020 / 11:20 a.m.

The City of Sunrise Emergency Response team continues to monitor Tropical Storm Eta as it approaches South Florida.

All of Broward County is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Flood Watch, and coastal Broward (east of I-95) is under a Hurricane Watch. A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical-storm-force winds are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 24 hours.

According to the 7:00 a.m. National Weather Servicesadvisory, Tropical Storm Eta has moved slightly to the south; however, the large storm system is expected to bring heavy rain bands and strong wind gusts to Broward County, with the strongest impacts Sunday evening through early Monday morning as it passes over the Keys.

Some strengthening is possible and Eta could be near hurricane strength as it approaches South Florida.

Flooding Potential

Rainfall impacts from Tropical Storm Eta have already begun, and flooding is a concern due to saturated soils across our area.

To report localized flooding concerns, call the City of Sunrise Public Works Division at 954-572-2388 (daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or email publicworks@sunrisefl.gov (monitored during and after phone hours). For additional information, view our Flood Protection and Preparedness webpage.

Please note that sandbags are typically used in coastal communities to combat storm surge, and are not distributed by the City of Sunrise.

Garbage, Recycling and Bulk Trash

Do not trim trees and vegetation at this time. Bring in or secure patio furniture and loose objects from around your home.

Please leave all garbage and recycling carts as well as bulk trash inside . NO ITEMS SHOULD BE LEFT OUT FOR COLLECTION ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH; GARBAGE, RECYCLING AND BULK TRASH PICK-UP MAY BE SUSPENDED IF HIGH WINDS MAKE IT UNSAFE FOR COLLECTION TO PROCEED.

City Facilities Closing

For the safety of patrons and staff, all City of Sunrise facilities - including parks, pools, the Sunrise Athletic Club, the Sunrise Tennis Club, and administrative offices - are closed as of noon on Sunday, November 8th, through Monday, November 9th.

Stay Safe

Please take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family:

If you experience localized flooding, do not walk or drive into flooded areas. Water may be deeper than it appears, hiding debris and other hazards such as sharp objects, washed out road surfaces, electrical wires, chemicals, etc.

As weather conditions deteriorate, residents are encouraged to stay indoors. Do not go outside to assess damage to your home until the storm has completely passed, conditions are safe and the “all clear” has been given.

Continue to monitor the latest information from the National Hurricane Center (www.hurricanes.gov) and local media regarding the expected track and intensity of the storm.

Follow us @cityofsunrise on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for ongoing updates, and visit www.sunrisefl.gov/codered to sign up for emergency alerts. Be sure your emergency plan is in place; resources are available at www.sunrisefl.gov/hurricane.

Saturday, November 7, 2020 / 5:15 p.m.

As of 4:09 p.m., there is a Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Metro Broward County - including the City of Sunrise. A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical-storm-force winds are expected somewhere within the warning area within the next 36 hours. Tropical-storm- force winds are most likely to occur Sunday evening until Monday afternoon. 

Rainfall impacts could begin as early as tonight and spread/increase on Sunday and Monday. Flooding is a concern due to saturated soils across our area; a Flood Watch is in effect.

To report localized flooding concerns, call the City of Sunrise Public Works Division at 954-572-2388 (daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or email publicworks@sunrisefl.gov (monitored during and after phone hours). For additional information, view our Flood Protection and Preparedness webpage.

Please note that sandbags are typically used in coastal communities to combat storm surge, and are not distributed by the City of Sunrise.

Saturday, November 7, 2020 / 12:30 p.m.

Eta regained tropical storm strength and is forecast to approach southern Florida later this weekend as a tropical storm. As of 10:00 a.m. a Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for metro Broward County. 
 
A Wind Advisory (for gusts of 35 mph or greater) is in effect for metro and coastal southeastern Florida today. In addition, a Flood Watch remains in effect. 
 
Rainfall impacts could begin as early as tonight, and spread/increase on Sunday and Monday. Flooding is a concern due to saturated soils across our area.
 
The earliest reasonable time of arrival of sustained tropical-storm-force winds for South Florida is Sunday afternoon and evening. However, the most likely time this area could see sustained tropical-storm-force winds is pre-dawn to early Monday morning. Wind impacts could continue through Tuesday morning.

All COVID-19 test collection sites operated by the Florida Department of Health in Broward—including those at Markham Park and Lauderhill Sports Park—are closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 7-9, due to the potential for tropical storm impacts in our area. 

Please note that sandbags are typically used in coastal communities to combat storm surge, and are not distributed by the City of Sunrise.

Saturday, November 7, 2020 / 9:20 a.m.

Effective 10:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, Broward County is under a Tropical Storm Watch.  This means tropical-storm-force winds are possible in the Watch area within the next 48 hours.

As of 7:00 a.m. today,  the center of Tropical Depression Eta was located near latitude 18.6 North, longitude 84.2 West. The depression is moving toward the east-northeast near 13 mph (21km/h). An east-northeast to northeast motion at a faster forward speed is expected through early Sunday. A turn toward the north and northwest are expected by Sunday afternoon. On the forecast track, the center of Eta will approach the Cayman Islands later today, be near central Cuba tonight and Sunday, and near the Florida Keys or south Florida Sunday night and Monday.
 
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Eta is forecast to become a tropical storm again later today, with further strengthening likely through Sunday. 

For more information, visit the National Hurricane Center website (www.hurricanes.gov) and monitor local media.

Please note that COVID-19 testing sites in Broward are closed throughout the weekend and will reopen as weather permits.

Friday, November 6, 2020 / 5:45 p.m.

Tropical Depression Eta is forecast to regain tropical storm strength today before approaching southern Florida this weekend. Tropical-storm-force winds, at least in gusts, will become more likely over the entire area Sunday and Monday as Eta expands in size. These winds are possible as early as Sunday morning, and some effects may be felt in our area as late as Tuesday. Sustained tropical-storm-force winds are possible - and are most likely on Monday morning. 

The heavy rain threat will increase through the weekend into next week. Flooding is a particular concern given saturated soil across portions of the area. Seven-day rainfall totals could approach a widespread 8"-10” with localized totals of 15”+ possible.

A Flood Watch is currently in effect for southeastern Florida.

The City of Sunrise Public Works Division’s standard pre-storm preparations are already underway, including:

• Lowering lake levels within the permitted regulation to create capacity for expected heavy rainfall.
• Inspecting key parts of the stormwater system to increase the efficiency of drainage.
• Ensuring adequate fuel supplies for pump stations and other equipment.
• Readying staff and equipment for storm assignments.
• Communicating with the SFWMD (South Florida Water Management District) regarding the District’s pumping of primary canals.

To report localized flooding concerns, call Public Works at 954-572-2388 (daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or email publicworks@sunrisefl.gov (monitored during and after phone hours). For additional information, view our Flood Protection and Preparedness webpage.

Please note that sandbags are typically used in coastal communities to combat storm surge, and are not distributed by the City of Sunrise.

Please continue to monitor the latest information from the National Hurricane Center (www.hurricanes.gov) and local media regarding the expected track and intensity of the storm. Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watches could be issued for portions of southern Florida later today.

Follow us @cityofsunrise on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for ongoing updates, and visit www.sunrisefl.gov/codered to sign up for emergency alerts. Be sure your emergency plan is in place; resources are available at www.sunrisefl.gov/hurricane.