Don't wait until a hurricane threatens Florida to think about what you need to safeguard you and your family. Sit down with your family and make a plan to determine essentials such as how much water your family needs, where you will go if you need to evacuate before a storm hits and how you will stay in contact with loved ones. The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30.
Some important points to consider when preparing your hurricane plan and gathering supplies:
o Self Sufficiency: Plan on being self sufficient for at least three days after a hurricane hits your area. Emergency crews and government agencies will likely
o Evacuations: Do you live in an evacuation zone? If so, do you know where you will go if an evacuation order is issued for your area? Only go as far as you need to get to a safe location. Leaving the county and driving long distances is not advisable. A storm may change direction at any time, and debris scattered by a storm may make returning extremely difficult.
o Emergency Contacts: Establish reliable emergency contacts inside and outside our region to ensure that your loved ones know the status of you and your family.
o Shelters: Going to a hurricane evacuation shelter should be considered a last resort. They can get full and do not have the comforts of a friend's or relative's home.
o Special Medical Needs: Have a relative with special medical needs? Be sure to make appropriate arrangements for them. You also can register them for accommodation at a Special Medical Needs Shelter.
To request or obtain an application for a Special Needs Shelter and/or Paratransit evacuation transportation, including applications in alternative formats, call Broward County Emergency Management at 954.831.3902 TTY 954.831.3940).