Hurricane Preparation for Miami, Florida

Hurricane preparation for Miami, FL is somewhat like snow preparation for Alaska. It comes with the territory. There are very few hurricane seasons that go by that don't involve at last a hurricane watch or two and often a warning thrown in for good measure. But as Jackie Gleason used to say "Miami is the greatest audience in the world." It may not applaud the coming of a hurricane but it is definitely ready to greet whatever nature throws her way. Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management issues planning information to assist new residents and those who have lived through storms here all their lives.

Getting Ahead of the Storm.

The Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management concentrates on getting residents and visitors in the area prepared for hurricanes and in fact the entire hurricane season by issuing information that will help them take early steps to be ready for whatever storms come their way. The OEM warns residents to take precautionary steps by first preparing a family survival plan. As survival is the name of the game, knowing what you are going to do in advance takes the anxiety out of the equation.This plan should include a destination to which the family would move should evacuation become necessary and a definite plan to follow in order to get to that destination. Family members should all have contact information so that everyone in the family can check in with the same contact person outside of the hurricane area should family members somehow become separated.

The Miami - Dade County OEM also suggests putting together your own family survival kit that includes general items like food , water , personal hygiene items, flashlights, radios and batteries and a waterproof container with important family documents . But putting together your family survival kit means taking into consideration exactly who is in your family and the special needs each member may present. Your kit may need to include medications and medical equipment for elderly family members and things like diapers and special foods for infants.

Pets will require their own survival kit separate from the family . Included must be an extended supply of food and water, a carrying case for each pet and identification tags attached to color . When you are laying in supplies of diapers don't forget stand by supplies of cat litter.

Evacuation.

Given its location and the resulting frequency of storms, Miami-Dade County OEM takes great pains to provide for effective evacuation. First it asks residents to make plans to make their way to the homes of friends or relatives who are outside the evacuation zone if possible. This takes the burden off of evacuation shelters.

For those unable to reach such private assistance, when asked to do so they should take themselves to one of the established Emergency Evacuation Shelters provided by the American Red Cross. Keeping tuned to local radio emergency broadcasts will help you to stay updated about available shelters that will be open. For those without transportation the Miami-Dade County OEM has established bus stops where residents can gather for transport to available shelters. Residents can receive information about when these stops have been activated by listening to their radio or by call 311 .

Not all citizens in Miami can find shelter without assistance. To meet their needs Miami-Dade County has established and Emergency Evacuation Assistance program. By registering in advance with this office, those for whom relocation is difficult can be provided with the needed assistance. The Miami-Dade County OEM strongly urges that such individuals register well in advance of any storm to insure that their needs will be met. Specially equipped shelters for those with medical needs will be staffed and supplied accordingly. If no one knows about your transportation or extended medical needs in advance, assistance becomes more difficult to guarantee

Hotels -

One of the additional bits of hurricane preparation coming out of the OEM for Miami-Dade County is advice to hotel owners. As Miami is a prime tourist spot , the safety of thousands of out of town guests becomes the concern of the OEM. Recognizing that its own shelter provisions must be available to meet the needs of its residents, the OEM of Miami-Dade County advises hotel managers well in advance that they take the responsibility of providing for emergency sheltering of their own guests in the case of hurricane. This will likely mean making advanced preparations with other sister hotels in areas back away from evacuation zones. Having a plan at the ready for such situations can mean the safety and security of all guests and adequate sheltering for visitors and residents which of course is the goal of the OEM of Miami-Dade County.