City of Sunny Isles Beach Official Website
By George “Bud” Scholl, Mayor
(Wednesday, October 10, 2018) – We tend to associate July, August and September as the key months during hurricane season, however, hurricane season does not officially end until November 30. This October keep your hurricane supplies stocked up and your eyes on the weather. We are still vulnerable to dangerous storms and staying vigilant throughout the rest of hurricane season can save lives.
Major hurricanes have impacted our City during the month of October. Hurricane Wilma made landfall in late October of 2005, and Hurricane Matthew hit in the first week of October just two years ago in 2016. This 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, we have already seen 10 named storms, and there may be more to come.
As with all natural disasters, hurricanes are unpredictable and can happen when you least expect them. For example, take Tropical Storm Gordon which occurred last September. The storm formed close to land and fast. We had only a day’s notice to prepare for its landfall in Sunny Isles Beach. Thankfully we simply experienced heavy rains and some flooding along Collins Avenue and the side streets. But next time, we might not be as lucky.
Prepare your emergency plan and know your evacuation route should conditions require a mandatory evacuation. Replenish your hurricane supply kit with items such as non-perishable food, water, batteries. The time to buy supplies is before a storm is approaching. Sunny Isles Beach is located in Storm Surge Zone B. If you anticipate evacuating to an evacuation center, be sure to pre-register your family if you need special accommodations. And do not forget about your furry friends. Pet-friendly evacuation centers are available but remember to bring the required documentation and supplies.
Being attentive this hurricane season includes staying up-to-date with our City’s SIBAlert emergency notification system. By signing up for SIBAlert, you will receive critical messages relaying the most important and time-sensitive news happening in the City of Sunny Isles Beach, especially during a hurricane. Visit sibalert.net to register today. More information about hurricane preparation, evacuations, and recovery can be found at miamidade.gov/hurricane or sibfl.net/hurricane.
Let’s continue to stay safe this hurricane season.