Important hurricane preparedness information from Congresswoman Wilson
Dear Friend,
On this 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, I wanted to reach out to you to inform you of some important hurricane preparedness resources. Tropical Storm Isaac is projected to become a Category 1 hurricane that may impact the entire State of Florida. History has taught us that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly - and it's critical that all members of the public that live in coastal areas get ready. Here are a few tips to keep you safe:
- Monitor weather conditions and listen to the direction of state and local officials.
- If local officials give the order to evacuate, be sure to know your evacuation route.
- Know what supplies you and your family will need to shelter in place, if that is the advice given by local officials.
Personal Preparedness
Additionally, FEMA recommends taking the following preparedness actions:
· Prepare a disaster kit for your home: Stock up on non-perishable food and water to sustain you and your family for up to three days or longer. Ensure you have important papers (e.g. insurance, identification), first aid kit, a supply of prescription medicines and other specialty items in your preparedness kit. In addition, plan to have an emergency kit for your car in case you need to evacuate. While creating a disaster kit, pet owners should remember to pack the necessary items for their pets. Find more information on preparing your disaster kit at FEMA's website at Ready.gov.
· Create an emergency plan: Know what to do if you have to evacuate. Make sure you know how to contact members of your family and have an emergency contact number for someone out of state that knows where you are in the event of an emergency.
· Whether you live in a coastal community or inland, speak with your insurance agent now about flood insurance and review your homeowner’s policy. Every state is at risk for flooding and homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a cost-effective way to financially prepare for floods. To learn more about your risk and flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov.
The National Hurricane Center is the official source for the latest tropical storm forecast from the National Weather Service. If you're on your phone, check out their mobile site for the latest information, or visit the FEMA mobile site for tips on staying safe before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.
For the latest information on tropical weather, including the National Hurricane Center advisories, tracking maps, and satellite and radar images, click here to visit the National Hurricane Center's website.
Miami-Dade County Resources
American Red Cross
(305) 644-1200
Miami-Dade Animal Care and Control
(305) 884-1101
Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management
(305) 468-5400
SHELTER INFORMATION:
Miami-Dade 311 - Emergency Assistance Program
(305) 468-5900 or dial 311 within Miami-Dade County
Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program
(305) 513-7700
Miami-Dade County Hurricane Guide
Broward County Resources
American Red Cross
(954) 763-9900
Broward County Hurricane Hotline
(954) 831-4000
Broward Emergency Management Agency
(954) 831-3900
SHELTER INFORMATION:
Broward County Animal Care and Regulation
(954) 359-1313
Special Medical Needs Registry–Broward
(954) 357-6385
Broward County Hurricane Preparedness Guide
Tropical Storm Isaac and Haiti
Haiti is in the path of Isaac, and as you know, the island nation is still in the midst of recovering from the worst disaster in the Western Hemisphere’s history, the January 2010 earthquake.
I am very concerned about the thousands of Haitians that are still living in tents and the cholera outbreak that may follow, as a result of floodwater.
I am pleased to have learned that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and its international counterparts have already prepositioned supplies and emergency response teams.
I will continue to monitor Isaac and work with the appropriate federal agencies to ensure that the adequate resources and people are in place to assist the people of Haiti.
Sincerely,
Frederica S. Wilson
Congresswoman, 17th District of Florida