Flooding Remains After Storm Pounds S. Florida

M I A M I, Oct. 5 -- Thousands of people remained without power andhundreds of stalled vehicles sat on still-flooded roadways todayas South Florida began drying out from a tropical downpour thatdumped more than 18 inches of rain over two days.

Most schools reopened in Miami-Dade County, except at 15 schoolswith flooded or powerless campuses. The region remained in a stateof emergency imposed by Gov. Jeb Bush, and President Clintonpromised he would send federal help.

Officials reported more than 93,000 homes with about 214,000residents in still-flooded areas of Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroecounties.

About 9,000 homes and businesses remained without powertoday, Florida Power and Light reported. Spokesman Bill Swanksaid many of those were served by underground lines, and restoringall power may take several days. About 91,000 customers had lostpower.

There were no immediate estimates of the cost of the damage.

Bush toured the washed-out communities on Wednesday. At aSweetwater shelter, one of two opened in the county, the governorwas greeted by about 150 flood victims.

“My house smells like pee,” Amelia Wybern, 38, told Bush.“It’s completely flooded. I’ve lost everything.”

9 Inches of Rain in 1 DayOn Florida’s west coast, flood warnings were issued for parts ofLee County as 9 inches of rain fell Wednesday. In Lehigh Acres,children rowed in boats along streets. Vacant lots and lawns wereunder 3 feet of water.

The storm, labeled a subtropical depression by the NationalHurricane Center in Miami, was responsible for two deaths.

A 36-year-old worker died Wednesday morning when he fell about35 feet while trying to drain a roof on Miami Beach, policespokesman Al Boza said.

A 41-year-old worker at Miami International Airport died when hedrove a vehicle towing luggage into an overflowing canal.

The torrential rain moved off over the Atlantic Ocean, and floodwatches were lifted late Wednesday for southeastern Florida, butforecasters said there was still a 40 percent chance of rainThursday.