Special Needs
Residents that require special care and/or special transportation to a special needs shelter have to pre-register with the Miami-Dade County Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program immediately. The number is 305.513.7700 or 305.468.5402 TDD (hearing impaired).

Please be patient; officials’ priority is public safety. Listen to the local news media for possible road closures and curfews. A reoccupation order can take hours, days or weeks depending on the severity of damage to roads, bridges and buildings. After the order for reoccupation to the city is issued, you will have to provide proof of residency (driver’s license and/or utility bill with current Miami Beach address) to roadblock officials to re-enter Miami Beach. This is done to protect your home and/or business from unwelcome visitors.

Early Registrations

Pets DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PET AT HOME

Miami-Dade County now offers two pet-friendly evacuation centers for families to go with their furry friends, up to three pets per family. You must pre-register with Miami-Dade County if you plan on using the pet-friendly evacuation center. However, this does not guarantee placement. To register, call the Miami-Dade County Answer Center at 311 or go to miamidade.gov. The centers are located at: Miami-Dade County Sunshine Pavilion, 10901 S.W. 24 St., Miami and Highland Oaks Middle School, 2375 NE 203 St, North Miami Beach. Inland hotels have also become more pet friendly over the years. Go to petswelcome.com for a list of participating hotels.

If evacuating with your pet is not an option, contact your veterinarian or the Humane Society for assistance. You want to make sure that it stays in a comfortable environment wearing proper identification with access to enough water and food for two weeks. Keep a current photo of your pet with you. Do not leave your pet on a leash outside during a storm.

HURRICANE PET KIT
Prepare an evacuation kit for your pets before hurricane season begins.

• Pet(s) should have proper ID (microchip, collar with tag, tattoo) including name, address and phone number
• Up-to-dateveterinarian records (vaccinations, medical history, any existing medical conditions with prescriptions, proof of ownership, current photos) Updating your pets’ vaccines during an emergency could prove challenging, so plan ahead.
• One-month supply of medications
• Flea & tick prevention/treatments
• Two-week supply of food and water; can opener if necessary
• Toys, treats and blankets to comfort animal
• Proper leash & collar per pet
• Appropriate pet carrier per pet
• One-month of litter with pan & scoop
• Phone Notifications

In the event of an emergency, the City of Miami Beach may use the Reverse 911 system to call all home phone lines within the city to provide important information. The system, however, is not able to locate wireless phone numbers to communicate important information. Miami Beach community members who wish to be notified via cell phone should go to miamibeachfl.gov/newcity/reverse911/mainpage.asp to register for this service.

Make prior arrangements with friends or relatives living in a non-evacuation area or check into a hotel located inland; or, as a last resort, use a public shelter (see Evacuation Pick-up Sites). Make sure that you take proper Miami Beach identification with you; you will need it to re-enter the city.
Send a list of friends’ and neighbors’ telephone numbers and copies of important papers to family members in another city.
Tell family, neighbors, and service agencies where you would go to stay in an emergency.
Have a transportation plan for emergencies.
If necessary, register with Miami-Dade County’s Special Needs Evacuation Assistance Registry
Make arrangements with a kennel or friend to care for your pets. There are two shelters that will accept pets with prior registration (see page 4).
Have a plan to secure your boat (see Boats) or take it elsewhere.
Review your insurance policies to ensure that you are fully covered. Insurers cease issuing policies when tropical systems are within the quadrant.
Inventory and take photos of your property and valuables, and store these photos and other important documents in a waterproof container and take with you when evacuating.
Practice your Disaster Plan.

TREES
No tree is immune to storm damage, but with proper pruning, you can reduce the risk. Remember that you must obtain a permit to prune and/or remove certain trees. View the City’s Codes online at miamibeachfl.gov or call Public Works at 305.673.7080 for more information.

Have your trees inspected by an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist to see if your trees need pruning; you can find a certified arborist on isa-arbor.com. Do this as soon as possible, because they will be increasingly busy as the hurricane season approaches. It is the responsibility of the tree trimmer to remove all branches and debris from your residence when the job is finished. If you prune the trees yourself, be sure to dispose of organic waste properly(seebundleguidelines).Most importantly, do it now; once a storm is on its way, it is too late to prune.

Boats
Prepare to move your boat when a hurricane is likely, even before a Hurricane Watch is issued. If you wait too long to relocate the boat, bridges may be locked down and you may not be able to get your boat and yourself to safety. Be advised that high-rise storage racks can be toppled by a storm’s high winds. If possible, put your boat on a trailer and take it further inland. If you must leave your boat in water, make sure it is securely anchored, secure extra lines and add chafe protection. Check with your local marina for more advice.

ROOF AND GUTTERS
Inspect your roof for proper overflow drainage, especially on flat roofs. Make sure that all drains are clear of debris. Clogged drains will cause water to pool up on roofs and cause extensive damage. Check for loose rain gutters and drain spouts and secure.

• Inspect your roof
• Trim trees
• Update insurance coverage
• Check your shutters (practice installing especially if you bought a new home or new shutters)
• Test your generator and chainsaw for proper operation.
• Before Evacuating Secure Your Home/Condo/Apartment/Business

• Take down and bring in any signs, tables, garbage cans, plants, furniture, umbrellas, and other loose and/or unsecured structures from outdoors, including all balconies.
  Board up windows and glass doors. (Do NOT tape windows and do not leave any windows or doors ajar).
  If you live in an apartment or condo, securing your windows and doors will minimize damage to your unit; however, unsecured windows and doors of neighboring units can cause damage to your unit too. Please keep this in mind when preparing your home before evacuating.
  Fill prescriptions.
  Fill propane gas and car gas tank.
  Secure boats and relocate according to predetermined boat plan.
  Unplug TV/computer and bring antenna and satellite dish inside.
  Add extra chlorine to your pool.
  Turn off electricity to pool equipment and cover pump.
  Move furniture and electronics away from windows and cover with plastic.
  Pull curtains, blinds and shutters.
  Turn off gas appliances at shut-off valve inside the house as well as water and electricity.
  Secure pets in temporary shelter.
  Turn your refrigerator to its coldest setting.
  Place valuables in waterproof containers and store in high place.
  Two-week supply of food/drink
  
  Maintain a two-week supply of food and drink for when you return to the city after a storm. Keep it as a part of your survival kit (page 10). Include the following items:
  Water and ice
  Special dietary needs items
  Small containers of canned meats, fruits, soups, etc.
  Dry Cereal and crackers
  Granola/cereal/protein bars, nuts, peanut butter
  Bread
  Canned or bottled juices
  Dry or non-refrigerated milk and baby food or formula (if applicable)
  Survival Kit
• Keep a kit at your home with the following items in it. Some of these items will be needed to secure your home, some you will take with you when you evaucate, and others will be needed once the storm has passed and you are allowed to re-occupy your home.
• Radio/TV/Fan (battery-powered)
• Flashlight(s)
• Batteries
• Can opener
• Matches or lighter
• Two-week food-drink supply (see page 9)
• Prescription medicines (a month’s supply)
• Babydiapersandincontinentpads (ifapplicable)
• First-aid kit
• Spare keys to home and vehicles
• Tools (hammer, screw driver, pliers, andnails)
• Map of the area
• Toiletries
• Plastic garbage bags
• Zip lock bags
• Paper plates
• Napkins or paper towels
• Plastic Eating Utensils
• Toilet Paper
• Emergency cooking facilities
• Sternos
• Propane for gas BBQ grills
• Lantern
• Fuel(stored in an approved containeroutside)
• Fire extinguisher
• Bleach (without lemon or any other additives)
• Water purification tablets
• Rain gear (clothing and shoes)
• Seasonal clothing for a few days
• Blanket and pillows
• Mosquito/insect repellant and killer
• Sunscreen
• Other:
• rope
• an inflatable raft
• life preservers
• a tarp
• sleeping bags and blankets
• duct tape
• mosquito netting

EMERGENCY SUITCASE

Keep an emergency suitcase ready at all times in the event of an evacuation or for any natural disaster that you can take with you to a shelter. Keep important documents sealed in an airtight bag. Shelters do not provide food. Be sure to take your own supply of non-perishable food.

Waterproof bag or box for all important documents
Proof of residency/business
Driver’s license
Insurance policy
Utility bill
Birth/marriage certificates
Bank accounts
Mortgages
Copies of prescriptions
Phone numbers of family, friends, physician, pharmacy,
caregiver and business contacts
Property photos
Blankets and pillows
Essential personal items such as prescription drugs, toiletries, dentures, hearing aids, eye glasses
Change of clothing
Battery-powered radio/TV
Extra batteries
Cooler with ice/water supplies
Non-perishable food (page XX)
Toys/books/activities for kids

Hurricane Watch

Prepare for a hurricane as early as possible. Once a storm’s path is forecasted to near South Florida, begin to monitor the storm and prepare for an evacuation. Fill up your vehicle with gasoline before evacuating and be sure to have extra cash in the event of power outage.