Preparing for Hurricane Season in Broward County

Hurricane preparedness is one of the most important safety precautions citizens can take in Broward County. South Floridians should know their vulnerability and what actions they can take to reduce the effects of these devastating storms.

This special hurricane preparedness issue of our e-newsletter focuses on the many ways Broward County residents can plan for hurricane season as well as the resources available to them. This is valuable information that can be used to save the lives of our own family, friends and neighbors.

The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June

 to November, with the peak season from

mid-August to late October.

According to FEMA and Ready.gov, when planning for hurricane season, it's best to take this three-step approach:

1. Build a Kit.

Get an Emergency Supply Kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You can also prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car in case you need to evacuate. Click here for Broward County's Hurricane Kit Shopping Guide.

2. Make a Plan.

Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will bet back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
Click here for Broward County's 10 Step Family Plan.

3. Be Informed.

Hurricane hazards come in many forms:  lightning, tornadoes, flooding, storms and high winds. Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of hazard and prepare your family disaster plan accordingly. Here are some ways to stay informed:

• Subscribe to the Hurricane Update Email System to receive important information from the Broward County Emergency Operations Center before, during and after a hurricane. Click here to subscribe.
• Listen to city-operated radio stations. Click here for a list.
• Tune in to television stations simulcasting on radio or other television stations. Click here for a list.

Hurricane winds can exceed 155 miles per hour. Hurricanes and tropical storms can also spawn tornadoes and microbursts, create storm surges along the coast, and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall.

Additional Resources

• For more info on hurricane preparedness, call the Broward County Call Center at (954) 831-4000. In the event Broward County is directly faced with an incoming hurricane, the Hurricane Hotline will be activated. You can reach the hotline by dialing 3-1-1.
• If you are disabled, frail or have health issues that may make you vulnerable in the event of an emergency, register with Broward County's Vulnerable Population Registry. To register, click here.
• The American Red Cross also has very useful information on planning for natural disasters. To view some helpful tips on how to prepare your home and family, click here.
• For tips on evacuating vulnerable populations, click here.
• Assistance for senior citizens and those with special needs - in the form of counseling and help filling out paperwork - is available for Florida residents affected by hurricanes that impact the state. To register for disaster assistance, call the FEMA toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairment.
• Access to information regarding elder services and activities is available through the Elder Helpline Information and Referral service by calling 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337).
• Volunteer to help those in need when a hurricane strikes. To find out how you can join HandsOn Broward's Disaster Response Team, click here. For info regarding Fort Lauderdale's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, click here.

Women's Leadership Council

Wine and Design

Wednesday, June 6

5:30 - 9:00 p.m.

AutoNation Academy of Art & Design

Museum of Art l Fort Lauderdale

For more info, click here.

Young Leaders Society

Leadership Luncheon with United Way of Broward County President & CEO Kathleen Cannon, LCSW

Wednesday, June 20

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

United Way of Broward County

For more info, contact ktolzien@unitedwaybroward.org or (954) 462-4850 ext. 138. 

The Official Broward County Hurricane Preparedness Guide

This guide provides local maps, telephone numbers, website addresses and other useful information that will help ensure your safety this hurricane season. To download the guide, click here.

A "hurricane watch" is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 36 hours, and a "hurricane warning" is issued when it is expected that the storm will strike within 24 hours or less.

Help United Way Continue to Make a Difference

United Way of Broward County is committed to mobilizing the resources of our community and finding common sense solutions to problems facing Broward County. Help us continue to achieve great work by making an online donation today. Click here.

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