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Residents, Businesses Affected By Coastal King Tides

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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- King tides are ruling the streets of Las Olas yet again.

Residents woke up to another morning of water covering the roads and sandbags remained propped against the front doors of businesses along East Las Olas Boulevard.

"It was really challenging to maneuver through the streets," says realtor Diane Roth of Liz Coldwell Partners with Premier Estate Properties, a business near the bridge to the ocean.

She says the daily flooding hasn't affected business horribly, although, it did delay a showing of a home for sale.

Next door, Medi Idriss has been struggling to keep water flowing into his business, Francesca Guerrera Hair Salon.

He wants the city to put up signs urging drivers on E. Las Olas Blvd to slow down because they are creating waves that push water into his shop. All week he's been rescheduling clients because of the flooding.

"It's affecting business big time," he says.

City leaders say the 116 tidal valves installed in recent years are helping. The valves prevent water from backing up in storm drains.

Assistant City Manager Dr. Nancy Gassman says the valves are only part of the solution to an ongoing complex problem. The city is raising sea walls to prevent intracoastal water from seeping onto the roads.

"It's going to take private investments in new private sea walls and the raising of homes over time," says Dr. Gassman. "All of it will contribute to a resilient Ft. Lauderdale."

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