Hurricane season -
Preparation is everything

Broward County Hotline 954-831-4000 

It's that time again. The hurricane season started on 1^st of June and already on the last day in May the first tropical storm was announced off shore the peninsula in Mexico. This was the opening of the rain and storm period in Florida.

The residents of Florida may ask at the information centers of their counties for the recommended preparation measures and the designated Hurricane Shelters in their areas. The individual counties have a special hotline for hurricane issues. In Broward County the number is 954-831-4000. 

The hurricane preparation measures are important to all residents of Florida and we have briefly summarized them here:

1. What are the evacuation areas and live I in such a zone? 
During a hurricane with the strength of 1-2 the zone from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intercoastal Waterway has to be evacuated. 
Hurricane with strength of 3 or more this evacuation zone is extended to US1.

2. When I live in this area I must make a plan what I have to do in case of evacuation. 
The shelters in the residential area have limited capacity. Therefore people who live in mobile homes, who are ill or who are immobile have the highest priority for these places.

If these conditions do not apply to a resident the personal initiative of each person is required. In this case the resident has to look for accommodation outside the sensible hurricane zone. 
  
3. What must I do when the evacuation call comes? 
When the evacuation call is made the residents have to leave the hurricane area. If you do not leave you are at your own risk. 
Who stays in the hurricane zone should look for a room without windows as shelter and wait there until the hurricane has passed. 
  
4. When is the evacuation required? 
Approx. 36 hours before the expected hurricane"Hurricane Watch" is announced. At that time the preparations for the personal evacuation should already run.

In the "Hurricane Warning" period approximately 24 hours before the hurricane is announced the evacuation should be completed and the hurricane zone should be left. 

To avoid traffic congestion on the evacuation routes the hurricane zone should be left as early as possible.
  
5. What preparations are needed for the evacuation? 
All the objects around the house should be stowed either in enclosed spaces or secured so that loose objects could not become bullets during in the hurricane wind.

If there are dangerous limbs at your trees cut them.

Because of the hurricane the water and electricity supplies could be interrupted it is important to take precaution. The refrigerator should be at the highest level of cooling so that there is sufficient cold for the cooling of the stored food.

In the bathtub and other containers you should collect enough water to use this for personal hygiene and flushing the toilet. 

You should have all important papers and insurance documents with you and either put them into your car stowed in a watertight container or place them in a bank deposit box.

Valuable items as well as your house, car or boat, you should photograph and make an inventory list for yourself so that you have a proof for the insurance if necessary. 

Be sure to get all your important documents and take them with you in case you need them to help you return quickly to work after the hurricane.

Get sufficient cash for your expenses after the hurricane in case the electronic payment systems should not work.

Charge your Cell phone and eventually get solar chargers. So you make sure that you can always to be reached by phone. 

If you are on medical assistance, find out in which shelter you need to go and ask for help if you have to evacuate.

Tell a friend or family member outside the hurricane zone where you will go in case of evacuation.

Keep your emergency equipment – the hurricane kit – ready so that you have enough supplies to survive the first 3-5 days after the hurricane. 
  
6. What belongs in a hurricane kit? 
The Hurricane Kit should have enough products and articles to supply you for at least 3-5 days. If you need medication please take your supply for at least 2 weeks with you.

Per person you need 1 gallon of drinking water per day. This volume of water must be increased if you need the additional water for cooking and washing. 

Food like canned milk and canned goods should be preferred. Do not forget the food for your baby and toddler. If you have a pet you need pet food is in sufficient quantity.

A manual can opener is essential to the hurricane kit. 

Paper plates, cups and plastic cutlery and napkins in sufficient quantity should also be taken. 

For babies and toddlers you need an appropriate quantity of diapers and hygiene items.

Hygiene products for daily needs such as hand cleaners and disinfectant cleaners should not be forgotten. Toilet paper in sufficient quantity is important. 

Resealable plastic bags and garbage bags belong also into each hurricane kit so that dirt and potential infection can be avoided. 

A first aid kit for minor bruises is essential. In the event that you stay a long time outdoors after the hurricane you will need mosquito protection with DEET and sun cream with sufficient sun protection.

Clothes to change as well as pillows and blankets in sufficient quantities are required.

A flashlight, a battery and a hand-operated radio are also to include into the hurricane kit as well as the necessary additional batteries and solar chargers.

For cooking and heating food in the nature a camping stove is highly recommended. In this case matches and a fire extinguisher are other necessary components of the hurricane kits. 

Useful but not necessarily a matter for the survival would be the most important tools such as hammers, nails, saws, tape and gloves.

The content of the hurricane kit is also necessary for the evacuation into a hurricane shelter because at this accommodation is often only a minimal facility available. The shelters are only a place where you can stay if you can not escape to another safe location. 

It is therefore always recommended in case of the evacuation to follow your own hurricane plan and left the shelters to people who have no other option for their protection.

At the German Consulate General in Miami you have the possibility as a permanently or seasonally living German in Florida to get registered for the hurricane season. Details for such a registration you can find on the site of the Consulate General. The registration data will be managed in accordance with the regulations of the German data protection.

The goal of such a registry is to ensure the contact and to organize help and support measures during and after a hurricane. Registration is voluntary and is at the discretion of each individual. 

For further questions and information please contact us by email.

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