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Downpours Cause Isolated Flooding

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Drenching downpours overnight caused isolated flooding throughout South Florida.

In several Northwest Miami-Dade neighborhoods, streets and front lawns were completely under water which was knee-deep in some spots.

"I woke up this morning to a swamp," said resident Miguel Castaneda.

Most residents grabbed rain boots or flip flops to get to their cars, and one resident even brought his work pants in a bag.

"I just grabbed some shorts because I figured I was gonna get wet so might as well just come in sandals and shorts and get dressed at work," said Castaneda.

Maria Ayala put plastic bags on her feet to try and stay dry.

"I put a bag because it's impossible walking around the water," said Ayala.

Even pooches had no way around without getting their paws wet.

Several cars got stuck trying to drive through it and had to be towed. Pumps were brought in around 2 a.m. to try to drain the water from the lots.

Miami-Dade students rolled up their pants and puddled through the water to catch the bus.

"A lot of water, it's all flooding. This happens a lot but I guess I'm used to it," said a student Richard Gutierrez.

Parking lots in the area NW 82nd Avenue and NW 8th Street looked more like ponds with the water reaching to the top of tires on many of the cars while pumps worked to push out water that filled the parking lot of the Fontainebleau Gardens apartment complex.

With more storms in the forecast, residents are hoping the pumps drain faster than the rain falls,so their apartments stay dry.

"It's gonna rain much, much more, so it's guaranteed that today were gonna find some of the apartments to be flooded," said resident Ramses Diaz.

"Need a boat, yacht, I don't know. For leaving this place you need a yacht to get through, or a chopper." said Roberto Barreras.

"Oh my God, it's horrible. This is every year; when it rains, when it pours like that, it's every year," said Castaneda.

Other residents said every time it rains hard the flooding happens and they are fed up.

"I have called my commissioner's office and I was told that everything was okay. No more flooding," said a disgusted Arturo Aguilera as he stood by a flooded parking lot. "Just look at it."|

Most of the heavy rainfall had moved offshore by the early morning hours. South Florida will dry out just a bit before another round of storms develops Tuesday afternoon.

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