Time to Get Ready for 2019 Hurricane Season.
Your disaster and emergency kit must be ready by June 1st when the Hurricane Season officially starts. It is also essential to prepare in advance, a family emergency plan.
Edda Pujadas, @epujadas
DORAL, FL – “Now is the time.” This is the phrase that the city representatives and Doral Police Department use to make the residents aware of the importance of being ready for the start of the hurricane season, which is June 1st.
We need to remember that our city is located in a flood zone and even when the local, regional and state authorities are and will be offering all the necessary prevention and safety measures, it is imperative that we all take our own precautions in order to protect yourself, your family, your properties and businesses.
PREVENTING
All the responsible entities and safety experts agree in the fact that the most important activities to conduct are those taken before the storm. It is equally essential that all the decorations and accessories are removed from the back and front yards and it is crucial to make sure that all shutters are in working condition and installed or ready to be installed.
Flooding can also be a considerable problem during a storm, for this reason, it is essential to verify that all private storm drains are clean and unclogged to aid in the drainage of stagnant water in streets and parking lots. As it is customary, before the storm arrives (72 hours before), the City of Doral will distribute sandbags to the residents.
Trees must be trimmed weeks or even a couple of months before the official start of the hurricane season in order to avoid that dead branches could turn into dangerous objects during the storm and winds. This will help decrease the risks during the storm, and it will also help avoid damages to the properties.
Protect all electric equipment with surge regulators and waterproof covers, get cash from the bank, and fill up the gas tank of your car. If you have a power generator, verify that it is working correctly. Power generators should be operated away from residential spaces, and only in open areas, away from windows, doors, vents or other openings.
In the case of businesses, all chairs, tables, accessories, decorations, etc. must be brought inside. Developers of construction projects must also take extreme measures about these prevention tips, and the Building Department of the City of Doral will be available to help all contractors with any permit that is related to hurricanes and with inspections requests.
As in previous years, Ronald Reagan Doral Senior High School has been designated as a shelter during storms and hurricanes. It is located at 8600 NW 107th Avenue, Doral, Florida, 33178.
The disaster and emergency supplies kits must be prepared by June 1st. It is important to get ready and in advance, your family emergency plan. For example, it is possible that the family members are not together at the time when a disaster strikes, for this reason, it is vital that you have a plan that devises how to be able to get in touch, how and where will you meet and what you will do in case of an emergency.
Several days before the start of the hurricane season, make sure to have a supply of at least three days of food, water, medicines and other essential items for all the members of your household. Remember to review your insurance policies and their terms and to design an evacuation plan that includes your pets.
All residents must be watchful of the warnings that the meteorologists are providing through the media. The tropical storm watch means that within 48 hours, there will be possible conditions of tropical storm and a tropical storm warning means that these conditions are possible within 36 hours.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area within 48 hours, a hurricane warning indicates that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the specified area and usually within 36 hours.
Tropical storms carry sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph, and hurricane winds carry sustained winds of 74 mph or more, all in the Saffir-Simpson scale. Hurricanes are categorized according to this scale: Category 1 winds of 74 to 95 mph, Category 2, winds of 96 to 110 mph, Category 3, from 111 to 129 mph, Category 4, from 130 to 156 mph, and Category 5 above 157 mph, again all in the Saffir-Simpson scale.
It is important to take into consideration that the Mayor of Miami Dade County, Mr. Carlos Gimenez can issue an evacuation order for specific areas of the County that are considered in danger at that time, based on the projected hurricane path and the expected water surges due to the storms. All residents of mobile homes must evacuate when such order is issued, regardless of the area where they live.
There is a lot to do after the storm. In case that your property has suffered some damage during the storm, it is principal to work in the repairs through contractors that are duly licensed, insured and qualified by the State of Florida and that have the ability to obtain all the necessary construction permits to do the repairs.
In the case of public roads, the City of Doral has already all the necessary personnel to help in the cleaning and the removal of debris for all public roads. This will allow all First Responders to have free access in case of emergencies.
One of the most important actions that each person must do, before, during, and after a hurricane is to stay informed. The City of Doral uses several platforms to make sure that they are keeping the residents informed. Residents and business owners can register in the CodeRed mobile application and receive automated alerts. This application allows you to stay informed in real time in emergencies.
CodeRed alerts are sent automatically to all registered participants in case that the National Weather Service knows of inclement weather in areas close to your registered address. You can also follow the City of Doral through Social media and on their official website: www.cityofdoral.com
It is important to check the Miami Dade County Emergency Management Office, through their website: https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/emergency/home.page
We also recommend the following additional resources:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.asp