Broward, Palm weigh shelter plans

As Hurricane Irma threatens South Florida, officials in Broward and Palm Beach counties are mulling when to open shelters and order evacuations; MiamiDade County will begin evacuations today.

Miami-Dade County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday.

“Because of the strength and intensity of this storm, we need to take action and we need to take action now,” Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said.

Monroe County has issued a mandatory evacuation of all residents, beginning at 7 tonight. A tourist evacuation order is in effect at 7 a.m.

Broward County anticipates opening evacuation shelters Thursday, Broward Mayor Barbara Sharief said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. Shelters for those with special needs are scheduled to open today.

No evacuations have been ordered yet in Broward County, Sharief said. Broward schools will be closed Thursday and Friday, Superintendent Robert Runcie said.

Palm Beach County officials plan to meet this morning to determine the timing of when to open shelters and order evacuations, County Administrator Verdenia Baker said. Schools wil be closed Thursday and Friday.

While no evacuation orders have been issued, residents thinking of leaving should decide soon, Baker said.

“If people are looking to leave the state, then they need to leave in plenty of time so they don't get caught in the evacuation,” she said.

Individuals with special needs in Broward County who have not registered should call the county’s 311 telephone line now to register, Sharief said. In Palm Beach County, residents with special needs can call 561-712-6400.

“We are working with counties to the north and the south to coordinate evacuations if necessary,” Sharief said.

In making evacuation plans, Sharief encouraged people to plan to stay with family or friends outside the evacuation area if possible because shelters will only be able to provide for basic needs.

Broward County buses will continue operating on their regular schedule until tropical storm-force winds arrive in the county, Sharief said.

She also said residents should not be trimming trees at this time because the branches could become projectiles if left at the curb during a hurricane.

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County is requesting residents refrain from cutting down whole trees or doing major yard or construction projects until after the storm passes. Residents shouldn’t put debris at the curb after a hurricane watch or hurricane warning is issued.

At 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Broward began operating at Level 3, which involves monitoring and assessing the storm. Palm Beach County’s emergency operations center activated to Level 3 on Monday. Broward moved to Level 2, which is the partial activation of its emergency operations, at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Level 1, which is full activation of all emergency support functions in the county, tentatively is expected sometime Thursday morning.

Broward County’s emergency hotline will be active around the clock starting at 8 a.m. today. Call the hotline at 311, or 954-831-4000.

“Broward County may be experiencing tropical-storm force winds as early as Friday evening,” Sharief said.

A hurricane shelter is the place to go if you can't stay at home or with a relative or friend. They are set up in schools or other solidly constructed buildings, but their locations can change from year to year.

In Broward, the Red Cross runs public shelters, but medical care will not be available. Shelters have food, but if you have special dietary needs or want snacks, bring your own. You can’t take guns or alcohol to shelters.