Being Prepared

Here are comprehensive guidelines for getting ready for hurricanes in Miami, Florida (Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 – November 30 each year).  These steps draw on up‑to‑date state and federal preparedness guides for 2024‑25.

• Know your hurricane zone and hazards: Storm surge and inland flooding cause most hurricane deaths.  Check your address on your county’s evacuation‑zone map so you know if you must evacuate when officials order.
   
• Create an emergency plan: Every household should have both an evacuation plan and a stay‑at‑home plan.  Decide where you will go, how you will get there and where you will stay if you evacuate.  Identify a safe interior room (no windows) where your family will shelter if you stay.  Designate meeting places and an out‑of‑town contact if family members become separated.
   
• Stay informed: Download the FEMA app or sign up for local community alerts and check NOAA weather radio for real‑time alerts.  Know the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which do not require sign‑up.
   

Preparedness guides recommend stocking enough for 7 days because supermarkets and pharmacies may close.  Put kits in waterproof containers and keep a “go‑kit” by the door.

  Category Key items & quantities     Water and food One gallon of water per person per day for at least three to seven days.  Non‑perishable food for seven days, including canned/packaged foods, snacks, baby formula and special‑diet items.  Manual can opener.   Medical and hygiene Two‑week supply of prescription medications and medical supplies.  First‑aid kit with sterile bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, pain relievers and gloves.  Personal hygiene items, hand sanitizer, sunscreen and insect repellent.   Equipment & power Battery‑powered or hand‑crank weather radio and flashlights with extra batteries.  Fully charged portable battery banks and car chargers.  Spare propane or charcoal for grills and matches/lighters.   Documents & money Waterproof container holding insurance papers, medical records, bank and credit‑card details, Social Security cards, birth/marriage certificates, documentation of valuables and important phone numbers.  Cash because ATMs may be down.   Household & vehicle Gasoline for vehicles; fill tanks before storms.  Tools, duct tape, plastic sheeting and rope for emergency repairs.  Portable generator (use safely—see §6).   Communication & comfort List of emergency contacts (doctors, banks, school, veterinarian).  Books, games and toys for children.    

• Reinforce doors and windows: Close and lock windows; inspect and reseal if necessary.  Install storm shutters or board up windows; purchase and install a door‑bolt kit.  Remove outdoor items—furniture, decor and toys—to prevent them from becoming projectiles.
   
• Manage trees and gutters: Trim dead or overhanging branches well before hurricane season; do not trim once a storm is imminent because debris may not be collected.  Clean gutters so water can drain.
   
• Safeguard valuables: Store important documents and valuables in waterproof containers.  Set refrigerator/freezer to their coldest settings to preserve food longer during power outages.
   
• Use surge protection: Plug critical electronics into surge protectors.
   
• Store water internally: Fill a bathtub or empty jugs with water for cleaning and flushing.
   

Review homeowners and flood insurance policies; update coverage if necessary and print copies for your kit.  In Florida, price‑gouging laws prohibit unreasonable price increases for essentials during a state of emergency.  Report suspected price gouging to the Attorney General’s office.

• When to evacuate: Evacuate if officials issue an order, if you live in a mobile/manufactured home, your home is built before 1973 or is in a storm‑surge/flood zone, or if you cannot ensure structural safety.
   
• Know your routes and shelters: Determine evacuation routes and pre‑identify shelters or friends outside the evacuation zone.  Have multiple routes in case roads are blocked.
   
• Pets: Research pet‑friendly hotels or shelters ahead of time; keep a list of pet‑friendly places and boarding facilities.  Assemble a pet disaster kit—medications, sturdy leashes/carriers, photo of you with your pet, food/water, bowls and litter, plus feeding and medical information.  Service animals assisting people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters.
   
• People with disabilities and older adults: Identify if any household member needs additional assistance during evacuation.  Arrange transportation, extra medications and assistive devices, and register with local emergency management if offered.
   

Generators emit odorless carbon monoxide; never operate one indoors or in garages.  Run generators outside, far from windows, doors and vents.  Keep them dry and ventilated.  Let the generator cool for at least 20 minutes before refueling to prevent fires.  Use heavy‑duty outdoor cords and avoid overloading.  Install carbon‑monoxide detectors.  Check and fuel your generator before the storm, operate it safely during and inspect/clean it afterward.

• Follow official instructions: If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone, leave immediately.  If staying, shelter in an interior, windowless room; stay away from windows and glass doors.
   
• Stay informed and avoid hazards: Monitor trusted weather sources and local officials for updates.  Do not walk or drive through floodwaters—“Turn Around, Don’t Drown”; as little as six inches of fast‑moving water can knock a person down and one foot of water can sweep away a vehicle.  Go to higher floors if trapped by flooding, but not into a closed attic to avoid being trapped.
   
• Use safe lighting: Use flashlights rather than candles to prevent fires.
   

• Wait for clearance: Only return home when local officials declare it safe.  Watch for extended rainfall and potential flooding.
   
• Protect yourself: Wear protective clothing, gloves and boots during clean‑up.  Avoid wading in floodwater, which can hide debris, sewage and downed power lines.  Do not use electrical equipment if it is wet or if you stand in water; shut off power at the main breaker if safe.
   
• Water and sanitation: Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until authorities say it is safe.
   
• Document damage: Photograph damage to your home and property for insurance claims and keep receipts for repairs.
   
• Check on neighbors: Help elderly neighbors or those with disabilities who may need assistance.
   

Preparing for hurricanes involves understanding your risk, making a detailed plan, securing your home, assembling supplies for at least a week, planning for pets and special‑needs family members, operating generators safely, and following official guidance during and after storms.  By acting well before hurricanes threaten, you reduce stress and increase your family’s safety.