Introduction to the Incident
Surveillance video shows the frightening moment floodwaters rushed into a Miami Beach elevator over the weekend, trapping residents and children inside.
The Aftermath of the Flood
Since Sunday, Rick Sardana has been taking the stairs up to his 10th-floor condo after heavy rainstorms brought flooding outside the Vendome Place Condominiums.
"I’m not even uncomfortable in there, it brings back bad memories," he told NBC6 on Tuesday.
The Frightening Moment Caught on Video
In the video, Rick is seen coming down to the garage to check on his cars. Then the elevator abruptly stops.
"The elevator shook and then froze, and water started to seep in, and water was also coming from the top," he said.
His neighbors, Bruno and his 4-year-old daughter Jordana, were also inside as they worked to make their way out.
The Rescue Efforts
He said Rick eventually put his fingers between the door and pulled.
"I knew God was giving him some extra power," he said.
Everyone from inside made their way out into waist-deep water 


The Damage and Lessons Learned
It took about 24 hours before the water drained out, damaging almost all of the cars in the garage.
But despite it all, Rick says he learned an important lesson 


"Never take the elevator when there is flooding or fire, that’s kind of my big lesson," he said.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of being cautious during natural disasters and taking necessary precautions to ensure safety. The video serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of flooding and the need for emergency preparedness.
FAQs
Q: What happened in the Miami Beach elevator?
A: Floodwaters rushed into the elevator, trapping residents and children inside.
Q: How did the people inside the elevator escape?
A: Rick Sardana put his fingers between the door and pulled, allowing everyone to make their way out into waist-deep water.
Q: What was the damage from the flooding?
A: Almost all of the cars in the garage were damaged after the water took about 24 hours to drain out.
Q: What lesson did Rick Sardana learn from the incident?
A: He learned to never take the elevator during flooding or fire.