Emergency Preparedness

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 dry 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 local marinas for more advice. Most important: Have a predetermined boat plan as you would for your other belongings.

Vehicle Storage for Residents

Participating municipal parking garages are typically made available for residents to safeguard their vehicle during hurricanes and tropical storm events that impact Miami Beach. Announcements will be made via social media and local media outlets.
Upon the issuance of a Tropical Storm Warning or Hurricane Warning or if an evacuation order is issued for Miami Beach by the Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management, residents may bring their vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis to specified garages. The garages are safer places to store your vehicle than out in the open, but please be aware that you park your vehicle at your own risk.

The severity and impact of each weather event vary per incident. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the duration of this service for each weather event. However, as a general rule, the program will be in effect from the issuance of one of the aforementioned notifications until the city returns to normal operations, as determined by the City Manager or designee. For more information, call the Parking Department at 305.673.7505.

Miami-Dade County Emergency Evacuation Program for Persons with Special Needs.

If you or someone you know requires skilled nursing care, has medical equipment that relies on electricity, needs assistance with daily living, or may need assistance evacuating from ANY disaster, it is recommended that you register them with the Miami-Dade County Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program. To register, call: 311 (voice)

What is the Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program?

When disasters occur, people need to evacuate their homes quickly to get to safety. Due to their medical needs, mobility issues, or other conditions, some Miami-Dade County residents will need assistance to do this. The Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has developed the Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP), which is a registry of our neighbors that need help when an emergency evacuation is necessary.

The program offers:

• Specialized transportation
• Safe shelter
• Medical monitoring
• Wellness checks

Who is eligible?

Miami-Dade residents who on a daily basis require skilled nursing care, assistance with daily living, or have life-saving medical equipment dependent on electricity should register with the EEAP.

How can people register?

Call the Miami-Dade Answer Center at 311 to request an application to be mailed, or download the application from the Miami-Dade County Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program website. Click on “How do I register for the EEAP?” under FAQs.

The application is available in Creole, English, and Spanish. Please fill out the application and return it to the address listed. Your vital medical information will help Miami-Dade County determine your eligibility for the program and the types of services you’ll need. Please have your doctor sign the form to declare medical need for transport to a medical shelter in the event of an emergency. If eligible, you will be assigned to an appropriate facility, and a determination will be made on the transportation type. Miami-Dade OEM will then notify you in writing of your assigned location.

Don’t wait; when a disaster is occurring, services will be limited. You can deny services when called, but the program won’t call you if you are not registered.

In the event of an impending storm, it may be necessary to evacuate Miami Beach because we are a barrier island. We take the safety and security of our visitors very seriously. Should an evacuation order be given, it is likely that hotels will be evacuated first so that tourists have a chance to return home or seek shelter at a location that is not in the path of a storm or in an otherwise hazardous area.

Don’t be fooled by the great weather. If the very rare decision is made to evacuate tourists, it could be made 72 hours – three days – before the weather begins to deteriorate. But hotel staff and City crews need time to prepare for the storm. We appreciate your visit, and we hope that you return as soon as possible. Let us make the City safe for you, our residents, and businesses. We hope you return to the “Sun and Fun Capitol of the World” when you can optimize your fun in the sun.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.
• The height of the season typically occurs from late August to mid-October.
• Miami Beach has not taken a direct hit from a hurricane since 1926.
• Miami Beach was open to visitors just two days after Hurricane Irma.
• If you visit during hurricane season, make sure to stay tuned to local weather to keep informed.
• Miami Beach hotels communicate with guests about weather and other important information.

Come prepared:

• It’s easy to pack light for a vacation here, but consider packing some extra items in case you have to relocate. Here are some suggestions.
• You can minimize the inconvenience of being separated from your luggage by packing necessities, including toiletries, essentials, snacks, and a change of clothes in your carry-on bags.
• Families or groups should have a plan.
  • Determine a meeting place should the group be separated (do this for all the places you visit while here).
  • Know where you can access food, water, first aid kits, and flashlights (check with your hotel if they can supply them for all guests in an emergency).
  • Have a contact person “back home” so if your group gets separated everyone can check in with that person.
  • Do a little research. Make a list of resources to reach out to for assistance. Local resources.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance. If a hurricane is forecasted while you are in the area, it is too late to purchase insurance. If you obtain travel insurance, carry a hard copy of your description of coverage page. (Keep it in a plastic zip seal bag).

Remember, the more prepared you are, the more enjoyable and stress-free your stay will be!

Miami Beach Businesses

Every business should have an emergency plan. Hurricanes, floods, fires, terrorism, and other potential hazards pose serious threats to businesses everywhere. How quickly your company can get back to business after a disaster or crisis often depends on emergency planning done today.

Our weather can be very unpredictable. Strong storms can develop very quickly, even if they don’t develop into hurricanes. Public safety is paramount. If you receive information from the City of Miami Beach advising that your business should take certain preventative actions, such as pulling in umbrellas, tables, and chairs, or rolling in awnings, please pay heed to the direction. The City advises that you take an abundance of caution in ensuring that your business and your patrons are safe. Because of the uncertainty of weather developments, decisions may be made asking the business community to make preparations even though storm warnings have not been issued. Please understand that this is in the interest of public safety. When a hurricane warning is issued, Code Compliance Officers and Police personnel will enforce compliance. Being prepared as early as possible can make the difference between secured property and destructive damage.

Business Checklist

• Allow employees adequate time to prepare themselves and their homes.
• Keep emergency contact information for all personnel, and keep it current.
• Have multiple back-ups of critical data and, if possible, a store that's off-premises.
• Checks, titles, and financial information should be stored in water-tight containers or off-premises.
• If a storm is imminent, protect computer and electronic equipment by wrapping them in plastic and pulling it away from windows.

Is Your Site Under Construction?

Visit The City of Miami Beach Building Department for preparing construction sites.

Miami Beach residents are urged to develop a disaster preparedness plan before an emergency strikes. Plan in advance where you will stay, how you will get there, and what supplies you will take. As part of your plan, you should have an emergency supply kit ready. When you return to the city, you may not have electricity or water for weeks. Consider the needs of elderly and infant family members and pets.

Hurricane Supplies

Check out recommendations for Hurricane Supplies.

Preparation Checklist

Make prior arrangements to stay 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 (bus evacuation pick-up sites). Make sure that you take proper Miami Beach identification with you. You may need it to re-enter the city.

• Have a contact person out of the affected area if your groups gets seperated so everyone can check in with that person.
• Send a list of friends’ and neighbors’ 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.
• Have a plan to secure your boat or take it elsewhere.
• Review your insurance policies to ensure that you are fully covered. Information can be found at The Insurance Information Institute, The Florida Insurance Council, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, Florida Market Assistance Plan and Florida Department of Financial Services.
• 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.

Quick Home Inspection

• 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.

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 Codes 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. 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 (see bundle guidelines). Most importantly, do it now; once a storm is on its way, it is too late to prune.

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.

Do not leave your pets at home unattended during a hurricane. Whatever plans you make for yourself, please include your pets by reviewing the Pet Supply Kit. Miami-Dade County offers pet-friendly evacuation centers for families to go along with their furry, feathered, and scaly friends -- up to four pets per family. Evacuation centers, however, are shelters of last resort. Placement in pet-friendly shelters is not guaranteed. The centers will accept pets on a first-come, first-served basis, and are subject to some restrictions. You must bring with you the following information:

• Proof of residency.
• Medical and current vaccination records for each pet.
• Dogs must have a visible Miami-Dade County dog license and an annual rabies vaccination for both dogs and cats.
• Animals may be required to remain in carriers or crates.

Pet owners must bring supplies for themselves and their pets.  At least one family member must remain in the evacuation center with the pet. For complete information on pet safety during a disaster, call the Miami-Dade County Answer Center at 311 or go to the MDC Pet Preparedness page. The County will announce (through local and social media) the locations of the pet-friendly shelters when they are open.

BEST OPTIONS
Evacuation centers provide shelter of last resort, but if you want your pets and household to be as comfortable as possible, have a plan in place now as to where you can bring your pets. Make arrangements with family or friends inland who are willing and able to accommodate people and animals for up to two weeks. Many hotels and other accommodations accept pets, some loosen their pet policies in the event of emergencies. Two informative websites to check out are petswelcome.com and gopetfriendly.com.

No matter what arrangements you make for your pets, make sure that they stay in a comfortable environment, wearing proper identification, and with access to enough food and water for two weeks. Never leave your pet outside on a leash during a storm.