Hurricane Guide

A tropical weather system characterized by constant circulation of maximum sustained winds of 74 miles per hour (mph) or higher that is usually accompanied by rain, thunder, lightning, and possibly tornadoes.  Sustained winds are continuously blowing at a certain speed (as opposed to wind gusts, which can be higher.  Hurricanes are classified into five categories, which range from a category 1 (winds of 74 mph) to category 5 (winds of 155 mph and over.)

Hurricane conditions (winds of over 74 mph) are possible within the designated area for which the watch is issued within 48 hours.  Residents are advised to put their hurricane plan into action and secure your home and hurricane supplies during this time.  Gas up motor vehicles and get cash.  Stay tuned to local media for advisories on the latest forecast.  Local media includes television news media (local ABC, CBS, NBC, or Fox affiliates), news talk radio (such as WIOD 610 AM.)

Hurricane conditions (winds over 74 mph) are expected to impact somewhere in the designated area.  The warning is issued 36 hours before the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.

Although every storm threat is different it is important to determine whether you will shelter in-place (at your own home or with a friend of family member) or whether you will evacuate. Make this part of your plan, so that you can secure your home and the items that you need PRIOR to a threat impacting our area:

Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
Your emergency supply kit should contain 3-14 days supply of the following items:

• Drinking Water – At least 1 gallon daily per person
• Non Perishable Food
• Toiletries Hygiene Items/Moisture Wipes
• First Aid Kit/Medicines/Prescription Drugs
• Blankets/Pillows etc. 
  Especially if you plan to evacuate to a public shelter
• Clothing 
  Rain gear, special items for babies and the elderly.
• Flashlights/Batteries
• Radio Battery operated – A NOAA weather radio is also recommended.
• Telephones – A traditional telephone with cord and if possible, a fully charged cell phone with extra battery or a car charger
• Cash – (small bills) and Credit Cards-Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods after the storm
• Extra Keys
• Toys, books and games
• Important Documents – In a waterproof container of water-tight re-sealable plastic bag. Suggested documents include: proof of city residence, insurance certificates, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security Cards, identification, birth certificates,, etc.
• Tools – Keep a set with you during the storm
• Vehicle fuel tanks filled
• Pet care
  • Food. At least a three day supply in an airtight, waterproof container.
  • Water. At least three days of water specifically for your pets.
  • Medicines and medical records.
  • Important documents. Registration information, adoption papers and vaccination documents. Talk to your veterinarian about microchipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.
  • Pet First aid kit.
  • Collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag and a leash.
  • Crate or pet carrier. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.
  • Sanitation. Pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach.
  • A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you.
  • Familiar items. Familiar items, such as treats, toys and bedding can help reduce stress for your pet.

Have a plan: Shelter or evacuate? Determine whether you will shelter-in at your home or evacuate

Trim Trees: Do not prune or trim trees during a thunder storm or hurricane watch or warning. It’s best to prune trees prior to hurricane season or while the weather is calm.

Trash Pickup: Regularly scheduled sanitation services will continue (garbage, bulk and recycling pick up service) until winds reach 35 mph. Do not place your garbage out for collection unless it is your regular day of service. No special pick-ups will be scheduled prior to a storm. Do not begin any tree pruning or household clean-up activities at this time. Secure all loose items in your yard by bringing them indoors or tightly securing them to the ground. It is also possible that regular sanitation service will not resume immediately following the storm, in the event that crews are needed to first clear the streets of debris for emergency vehicles.

Sand Bag Program: The Golden Beach Public Works Department offers free sand bags to Golden Beach home owners (proof of residency required) once a hurricane watch is issued in our area. First come first serve sand bags may be picked up from the Golden Beach Public Works Department.

Miami-Dade County has redefined areas that should plan for evacuation. A storm surge planning zones is an area that could potentially be affected by a storm surge of 1.5 feet or higher. Residents may have to evacuate or “shelter-in-place” depending upon the projected track and storm surge. To find out if you live in a storm surge planning zone, enter you address at http://gisweb.miamidade.gov/communityservices/?ShowWhat=OEM.

• Evacuation Zones: Any and all property located east of Biscayne Boulevard (US1) in North Miami falls within a designated evacuation zone, as determined by Miami-Dade County. It is recommended that residents of this area evacuate should a storm threaten our area. Depending upon the strength of the storm such an evacuation may be mandatory.
• American Red Cross Evacuation Centers: Miami-Dade County and the American Red Cross will designate public evacuation centers to open based on the storm’s strength and projected impact area. If you fell that your home is not safe or if you live in an evacuation zone, plan to evacuate. A public shelter is a last resort.
• Emergency Evacuation Bus Pick-Up Sites: Miami-Dade Transit will activate specific bus pick up sites during an emergency evacuation. The pick-up site and buses will have signs that read “Emergency Evacuation”. Emergency evacuation pick-up sites.
• Emergency & Evacuation Assistance Program (E&EAP): Miami-Dade County offers the Emergency Evacuation Program to all residents of the County that have special needs. In order to receive assistance during an emergency, residents must register with the county PRIOR to hurricane season. Additional information can be found at miamidade.gov/fire/eeap.asp.

The Emergency and Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP) is for eligible individuals in Miami-Dade County who need evacuation assistance and/or sheltering or who would like to receive a wellness call after a disaster, if an evacuation was not necessary for the individual’s location. Eligible applicants will be assigned to an emergency evacuation center appropriate for the level of care required. These centers are also available for those under the age of 18 who require a specialized level of care.

Applicants Instructions and Information: English – Spanish – Creole

Eligible individuals are those who:

• are unable to evacuate on their own due to a specialized transportation need
• are homebound residents and unable to walk to a bus pickup point and do not have anyone that can provide transportation
• have medical needs that prevent them from evacuating on their own
• are bedbound patientsare on life-sustaining medical equipment that requires electricity
•  require assistance with daily living activities

Register Now

• Do not wait until an evacuation order is issued.
• When an emergency arises, pre-registered individuals will have priority over those who have not registered for the program.
• Registrants will be contacted on a semi-annual basis to re-certify their need for this program. Registrants do not need to complete an application every year, but it is the registrant’s or caregiver’s responsibility to report any changes to the information provided on the application by calling EEAP’s Support Line at 305-513-7700 or Miami-Dade County’s 311 Answer Center by dialing 311.