Hurricane season in the United States Officially begins on June 1st and ends on November 30th.
The southern and western coasts of Florida, the coasts of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi are the most at risk, as are all the Caribbean islands of the district (Bahamas, Giamaica Turks & Caicos, Cayman Islands, British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten and the other Dutch islands of Saba and St. Eustatius).
The National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration (N.O.A.A.) supervises all phases of hurricane development from their formation off the coast of Africa and provides information on their intensity and direction and possible area of impact of the hurricane. All this information is available on NOAA’s website https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Local authorities, especially in Florida, have acquired considerable experience in managing emergencies related to hurricanes and relay all information and advisories to residents of at risk areas so that they make take the proper safety measures.
When the arrival of a hurricane is imminent, a "Hurricane Warning" is issued and Authorities may suggest voluntary evacuation for high risk areas and advise residents to move to shelters (usually public buildings). Depending on the intensity of the Hurricane, Authorities may issue a mandatory evacuation order. Once an evacuation order has been issued, the Storm Aides For Everyone (SAFE) app can be used to find transportation and assistance points, distribution points for essential goods and services (food, water, hospital care).
When a hurricane occurs, electricity, telephone communication (including mobile phones) and Internet are interrupted.
It is absolutely forbidden to go outside for the duration of the hurricane. Once local authorities have determined that the hurricane has passed and residents are allowed to go outside the situation will remain difficult and dangerous. Fallen trees and branches obstruct many roads and there are also exposed electric cables. Depending on the intensity of the hurricane and the damage to buildings and infrastructure, the emergency situation could last for an undefined amount of time.
CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
Prior to the arrival of a hurricane, local authorities issue preventative and warning measures to the population similar to those of the United States. The Consulate, during the notice period, will refer to the orders of the local authorities and can provide assistance to residents should the local Authorities issue an evacuation order.
Areas where we have consular-honorary officials or consular correspondents are: Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos and Cayman Islands. We have no correspondents at the US Virgin Islands, St. Marteen, St. Eustatius and Saba. For Dutch Antilles and the British overseas territories, assistance is held by British and Dutch general consulates.
Attention: Please note that when extreme weather events occur, ports, airports and in some cases hotels may remain closed (even for days), in these cases fellow countrymen must follow the instructions issued by the local Authorities.
"PREPARATION PLAN": BE PREPARED!
It is suggested to:
1. agree with friends or relatives who live in a non-evacuation or low-risk area or go to a hotel located in the hinterland or use a public refuge. The list of refuges is available at the following link:
https://www.floridadisaster.org/hazards/hurricanes/;
2. If it is necessary to go to a shelter, carefully follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/covid-19/prepare-for-hurricane.html on behavior in public places during the COVID-19 pandemic, which involves social distancing and the use of a mask and gloves;
3. have a plan for evacuation;
4. communicate to family and neighbors where they will go in case of emergency;
5. if you have owned boats, move them to safe places;
6. take care of your pet and expect friends or family members to take care of it.
In the event of an evacuation, it is tu suggested to:
• bring medicines with you;
• make sure you have fueled your car;
• disconnect the TV and the computer and bring the antenna or satellite dish inside your home;
• move furniture, appliances and other objects indoors, away from the windows.
SURVIVAL KIT
As an example, some useful items:
- radio / TV / fan (battery operated);
- electric torch;
- batteries;
- can opener;
- first aid kit;
- clothes;
- blankets and pillows;
- insect repellent;
- matches, lanterns and lighters;
- essential medicines;
- items for personal hygiene and for the hygiene of children;
- spare keys for the car and home;
- fuel (stored in special containers) and fire extinguisher;
- map of the area;
- cash money;
- hand sanitizer, liquid soap or bar soap, at least two face masks for each person. Face masks should not be used by children under the age of 2. In addition, they should not be used by people who have difficulty breathing or who are unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Please remember to check the Consulate's Facebook page and Twitter account, as well as the public group "Hurricane Emergency": https://www.facebook.com/groups/145957899336879/ .
STORM SURGE PLANNING ZONE- MIAMI DADE COUNTY
KNOW YOUR ZONE:
• Zone A is at greatest risk for storm surge for Category 1 and higher storms.
• Zone B is at risk for storm surge for Category 2 and higher storms.
• Zone C is at risk for storm surge for Category 3 and higher storms.
• Zone D is at risk for storm surge for Category 4 and higher storms.
• Zone E is at risk for storm surge from Category 5 storms.
TO KNOW YOUR ZONE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW:
https://mdc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4919c85a439f40c68d7b3c81c3f44b58
MIAMI DADE COUNTY HURRICANE GUIDE:
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/emergency/hurricane/home.page
PHONE NUMBERS WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA
COLLIER COUNTY FLORIDA STORM SURGE MAP
COLLIER COUNTY HURRICANE GUIDE: https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/your-government/divisions-a-e/emergency-management
For further info, click the links below:
• https://www.fema.gov/how-do-i-find-place-stay
• https://www.ready.gov/shelter
• https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan
• https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane
For specific information of each area:
• FLORIDA https://www.floridadisaster.org/
• ALABAMA https://ema.alabama.gov/
• GEORGIA https://gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/storms-disasters/hurricanes
• MISSISIPPI https://www.msema.org/preparedness/
• SOUTH CAROLINA https://hurricane.sc/
• GIAMAICA https://jis.gov.jm/information/tips/hurricane-tips/
• PUERTO RICO https://manejodeemergencias.pr.gov/huracanes/
• ST. MARTEEN, http://www.sintmaartengov.org/special-campaigns/Pages/Hurricane-Campaign.aspx
• ST. EUSTATIUS https://www.knmidc.org/
• SABA https://www.knmidc.org/
• AMERICAN VIRGIN ISLANDS http://www.vitema.vi.gov/
• BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS https://www.bviddm.com/
• CAYMAN ISLANDS http://www.caymanprepared.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/hmchome
• TURKS & CAICOS. https://www.gov.tc
•BAHAMAS Hurricane Preparedness Website
