The 2022 hurricane season is here and Floridians know the drill: It’s time to start preparing your home.
The 2022 hurricane season is here and Floridians know the drill: It’s time to start preparing your home.
Knowing where to look up information on potential storms, their track and other details like sandbag distributions and evacuation orders is important, too.
Here are the emergency websites, phone numbers and social media accounts you should save in South Florida:
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Miami-Dade County’s Office of Emergency Management supports the community’s disaster preparedness and has a variety of useful resources including hurricane preparation guides and information on emergency evacuations, Red Cross shelters, storm surge.
For tropical storm and hurricane specific information, including on evacuation zones, visit miamidade.gov/hurricane
Phone: Call 311 for general information and to report problems including price gouging, downed traffic signs and street lights. You can also sign up to receive emergency alerts by email or text. Text “Join MDC” to 34292. If you want to opt out later, you will need to text “STOP” to 34292.
If you feel your life is in danger, call 911. If you cannot call, text 911. If texting, enter 911 in the “To” field, then enter your location and a short description of the emergency and hit send. Do not send pictures, videos, emojis, group messages, slang, abbreviations or web links.
App: You can download “ReadyMDC” to your Apple or Android smartphone for “up-to-the minute hurricane info.”
Emergency evacuation assistance program:
If people need assistance with evacuation and sheltering because they require special transportation, have no transportation or have medical needs that prevent leaving the area on their own, they are encouraged to register with the county by calling 305-513-7700. You should not wait until an evacuation order is given to request being added to the registry as resources are limited.
The county says residents in assisted living facilities or nursing homes do not qualify for this program because those businesses must have their own emergency plans.
Shutter installation assistance:
The county has a year-round first-come, first-served paint and hurricane shutter loan program that helps homeowners with a “low to moderate” household income to have the exterior of their home painted or accordion hurricane shutters installed. Keep in mind that a lien will be placed on your home.
Seniors and adults with disabilities who already have shutters (that were obtained from Miami-Dade County) and need help installing them ahead of a storm can also request help through Miami-Dade’s Residential Shuttering Program, which operates during hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30). If a storm is approaching, you will receive a phone call to find out if you need help.
To learn about both programs, visit the county’s website.
Twitter:
Miami-Dade County @MiamiDadeCounty
Miami-Dade Emergency Management @MiamiDadeEM
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava @MayorDaniella
Miami-Dade police @MiamiDadePD
TIP: Check to see if your city’s mayor, commissioners and police department are active on social media. If they are, it’s a good idea to follow them. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s Twitter, for example, is @FrancisSuarez and Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber’s is @MayorDanGelber. Miami police Twitter is @MiamiPD and Miami Beach police Twitter is @MiamiBeachPD.
