Hurricane Season is here. Be Prepared!

Whether you’re new to South Florida or long-time resident, it’s a good idea to review your hurricane readiness.

In these situations, you can never be too prepared.

Your smartphone is your best friend

There are plenty of free apps and websites to help you before, during, and after a hurricane. Just a few of the resources include:

• The American Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness center has helpful checklists and planning information.
• Hurricane path tracking
• Emergency Alerts: Towns and counties, as well our state and FEMA, all provide free emergency alert systems. To find out more, go to the emergency management websites for Broward County (which includes the Fort Lauderdale area) for Florida and for FEMA
• Know your evacuation zone and the safest route out using our state’s official disaster preparedness maps
• Find shelter via our state’s official shelter site.

It goes without saying, these tools are useful as long as you have a charged phone. Make sure you have portable battery chargers on hand, all powered up and ready for use.

Stay aware of your area’s warning & watch category

On July 7, 2021, Elsa was categorized as a Tropical Storm. However, residents in different areas of the state were in very different levels of danger. Here’s what you should know about watches and warnings:

Warnings:

• Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are expected, and residents should complete their storm preparations and immediately leave the threatened area as directed by local officials.
• Storm Surge Warning: There is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline, and you should check for evacuation orders from your local officials.
• Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected.

Watches:

When all of the above–Hurricane, Storm Surge, and Tropical Storm–are in “watch” status it means there is a possibility of these conditions being upgraded to the warning status. Residents should monitor changing conditions closely.

Don’t forget your dock and your boat

If your vessel is docked at home make sure you are taking precautions to secure and protect both the
boat or yacht and the dock. Consider these tips for helping keep everything protected from strong winds and heavy rain.

Need to be better informed on hurricane preparation?

Please do not hesitate to reach out! We are happy to help you.

Please be safe everyone!