Be prepared for Hurricane Isaias approaching South Florida this weekend

DORAL, FL – Tropical Storm Isaias has officially turned into a Category One Hurricane. It’s currently moving northwest at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and gusts up to 100 mph and it’s expected to reach the coast of Florida and Georgia this weekend. Be prepared.

“There’s still a lot of uncertainty about the track and we will continue to issue updates. So to reiterate, we have 20 evacuation centers on standby. They’re not open. Should we need to open them and we will have them set up with COVID-19 safety measures. It’s really too early to tell yet, so we are closely monitoring the situation,” said Mayor Gimenez on Friday morning during a virtual meeting, as reported by CBS4 Miami.

Meanwhile, Gimenez urged residents to be prepared even if right now Hurricane Isaias doesn’t seem to be  a major potentially dangerous storm.

“So now it’s a time that you should all be prepared. Even though it’s not a huge storm it can cause damage. Make sure your hurricane shutters and battery-powered radios are in good working order. Everyone should have sufficient food and water for each person in your home to last at least three days and up to a week. You can just fill up your containers with water using the tap,” he said.

He also advised residents to secure yards, patios, and clear any construction debris to avoid any accidents during the storm. “Take tree trimmings to a local trash and recycling center,” said Mayor Gimenez. 

But if you’re going to stock up on supplies, please do so as soon as possible to avoid big crowds. In Doral, for instance, there’s been a lot of people circulating in supermarkets and at Doral Central Park, where more than a hundred people drove up in their cars Friday morning to pick up free sandbags, according to CBS4.

Also make arrangements in advance to be moved to a safe place if you are under a vulnerable situation as Miami-Dade County offers this service by calling 311.

“These folks will use vital medical devices like respirators at home. That means that they’re power dependent. About 500 people have already indicated that they will need assistance…You can not receive service during a storm,” said Gimenez.

About the services and venues closing during the weekend because of the storm, it was announced the county has temporarily shut down all COVID-19 testing sites, while there will be no changes to the county’s public transportation schedules at this time, which could change if the storm becomes stronger. 

In addition, from Friday 8 p.m. all Miami-Dade beaches, parks, marinas, and golf courses will be closed. On Sunday, the county will evaluate the possibility of reopening everything back. 

On the other hand, Miami International Airport remains open and operational for all passenger and cargo operations. People who are flying this weekend are encouraged to contact their airline to know their flight status.

To know more about the County’s plans to receive hurricane season, click here.