Should you put up shutters? Move your car? Need sandbags? How to get ready for storm
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Tropical weather in South Florida
How Florida will be affected by a tropical system heading to the state from the Gulf of Mexico.
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Well, that didn’t take long.
Hurricane season just started Wednesday and already South Florida, West Florida, the Keys and Cuba are under a tropical storm warning.
So what should you do?
Have a plan. Make sure your car is not in a flood-prone area. Get sandbags to protect your home if you are afraid water can get in.
“Hopefully, this proves to be just a test of our readiness,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean J. Trantalis in a letter to residents. “Remember that being prepared can saves lives and property when disaster strikes.”
Here are answers to some hurricane preparation questions:
What do I need?
By now, everyone should have a hurricane plan in place, which should include emergency contact information, a way to protect important documents and a route for evacuation.
Emergency managers also say hurricane kits should already be in hand. Supplies should include nonperishable foods, batteries, flashlights, a first-aid kit and medicines and prescriptions.
READ MORE: It’s time to refresh your hurricane kit. What you need to add before a storm threatens
Should I put my shutters up?
Forecasters expect this to be a rain event and not a wind event. So it’s unlikely you will need shutters.
The National Hurricane Center says storm shutters should put up when a hurricane watch is issued for where you live, about two days ahead of time.
Right now, South Florida is under a tropical storm warning.
Ahead of the season, Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said it doesn’t hurt to take the extra step and protect your home.
“If a two by four is flying through the air at 40 miles an hour — somebody left something in the yard and a lawn chair is flying through the air at 40 miles an hour — and it hits your window, it’s probably not going to survive it,” Guthrie said. “What we would recommend is when your area comes underneath a tropical storm watch or higher, go ahead and put your shutters in place...because the shutters are there to protect your home.”
Where can I get sandbags?
Miami-Dade
▪ City of Miami: Sandbags will be distributed through 7:30 p.m. Friday at Grapeland Park, 1550 NW 37th Ave. and Little Haiti Soccer Park, 315 NE 62nd St.
▪ Sunny Isles Beach: Sandbags will be distributed through noon Friday under the William Lehman Causeway, 19160 Collins Ave. Resident ID cards are required and there is a limit of six sandbags per household. For questions, call 305-792-1706.
Broward
▪ Fort Lauderdale: The city will distribute sandbags through noon Friday at Mills Pond Park, 2201 NW Ninth Ave. Those picking up sandbags are asked to bring their own shovel.
▪ Pompano Beach: Sandbags will be distributed through noon Friday (while supplies last) across the street from Pompano Beach Airpark, 1660 NE 10th St. They are free for Pompano Beach residents, with a maximum of 10 bags per household.
▪ Lauderhill: A limited supply of bags and sand are available for free to residents with proof of ID through 4 p.m. Friday at Veterans Park, 7600 NW 50th St., and Wolk Park, 1080 NW 42nd Way.
▪ Pembroke Pines: Sandbags will be given through 4 p.m. Friday at Howard C. Forman Health Park, 1001 Poinciana Dr., and at William B. Armstrong Dream Park, 1700 NW 160th Ave. Residents must show their Pembroke Pines driver’s license or utility bill, there is a six sandbags per vehicle limit.
Should I move my car?
It’s always advised to park your car on higher ground if possible. Some South Florida cities are waiving parking fees and opening up lots to residents.
Miami-Dade
▪ Miami Beach: City garages will open for residents through Monday morning at 8 a.m. at no cost. Residents must provide proof of residency when exiting the parking facility.
▪ Sunny Isles Beach: Free parking will be available for residents in the Heritage Park garage and under the William Lehman Causeway beginning at noon Friday through 8 a.m. Sunday. The Government Center lot is also free for residents to park.
▪ Lauderhill: Code enforcement will not be issuing citations for people who park their car on their property or sidewalk to avoid flooding.
▪ Fort Lauderdale: City-operated parking garages will be available for parking at no charge through noon Monday. The garages are: Riverwalk Center Garage, 150 SE Second St., levels 3 and 4 only, and Las Olas Garage, 200 Las Olas Cir., levels 3, 4 and 5 only.
▪ Hollywood: Fees at parking garages have been lifted for residents through noon Sunday. Proof of Hollywood residency will be required and no commercial trucks or fleet vehicles will be allowed. The garages are: Garfield Garage, 300 Connecticut St.; Nebraska Garage, 327 Nebraska St.; Van Buren Garage, 251 S. 20th Ave. and Radius Garage, 251 N. 19th Ave.
Should I put my hazard lights on when driving?
A change in law last year allows drivers to use hazard lights on roads with speed limits at or above 55 mph when the conditions create “extremely low visibility.”
Miami Herald staff writer Michelle Marchante contributed to this report.
This story was originally published June 3, 2022 at 11:35 AM.
