Floods in Kendall caused by torrential rains will last for months

A complex in Kendall West flooded in early June after several days of heavy rains, causing water damage to the tenants’ cars.

“This is disrespectful,” said Diosdado Lopez, owner of a Nissan Altima that got water in its interior after the flooding. “This association is a shame.”

According to Lopez, sometimes you can even see the water above the tires of some cars. The drainage system takes days to collect all the water, causing the parking lot to accumulate over 15 inches in certain areas.

Amid the chaos generated by the heavy rains, Ivon Fernandez, president of the homeowner association at Royal Palms, does not seem to have a solution for the residents and did not respond with any comments about a possible way to find answers to the tenants’ concerns.

Martha Suarez is another resident at Royal Palms. Her car did not start when she was about to depart for work earlier this month.

“I just got back to work last week after two months unemployed, this is the last thing I need at this point,” said Suarez.

She had to pay $125 to a towing company to get her car dropped at her mechanic.

According to Alberto Garcia, an auto mechanic in Kendall West, when water reaches the engine of a car, it often causes damage to the car’s electrical system, causing the car to become a total loss.

“Its computer and the interior can suffer irreversible damage,” said Garcia. “The possibility that the car may suffer mechanical damage makes the situation even worse.”

Rain this and last month have set records, causing drastic flooding in the Kendall West area. The image of cars stranded on the side of the road due to inundated streets has become familiar.

Residents of the area say that this is not the first time floods affect the residential zone of Kendall West.

“Three drops have not fallen, and the entire parking lot is flooded,” said resident Danela Garcia, who owns a condominium at Royal Palms. “The day we experience three hours raining non-stop, we will look like ducks swimming in a lagoon.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a busy hurricane season for 2020. According to meteorologists, South Florida could experience heavy rains throughout fall.