Do you know your Zone?
Run from the Water and Hide from the Wind!
Powerful winds aren’t the only deadly force during a hurricane. The greatest threat to life actually comes from the water – in the form of storm surge.
For that reason, it’s vital for Miami-Dade County residents to be aware a storm surge happens when water from the ocean is pushed on shore by the strong winds in tropical storms or hurricanes. Storm surges are the main reason why Miami-Dade residents are told to evacuate prior to a hurricane event.
Due to its hazardous potential, the Miami-Dade Office of Emergency Management has mapped out Storm Surge Planning Zones in distinct areas where storm surge poses grave danger; thus, it’s important for residents to know what zone their property is located.
Storm surge zones are determined by the National Hurricane Center using ground elevation and the surrounding area’s vulnerability to water from lakes or oceans being pushed onto land. In some cases, a property may not be located in a storm surge planning zone, but it’s important to verify.
Planning zones are broken down into five sections with the letters A-E which are used to identify the risk of storm surge and is based on all directions of storms. For instance, if a category 3 hurricane is projected to make landfall in Miami-Dade County, then residents living in Zones A, B and C will be cautioned to make preparations for evacuation. Depending upon the projection of the hurricane, the County will then specify if particular areas in the zone, or the entire zone, will need to evacuate.
The following describes each planning zone:
• Zone A: At risk for storm surge for category 1 hurricanes and higher storms.
• Zone B: At risk for storm surge for category 2 hurricanes and higher storms.
• Zone C: At risk for storm surge for category 3 hurricanes and higher storms.
• Zone D: At risk for storm surge for category 4 hurricanes and higher storms.
• Zone E: At risk for storm surge for category 5 hurricanes and higher storms.
To find out if your property is located within a Storm Surge Planning Zone, do the following:
1. Go on to www.miamidade.gov/fire/evacuation-zones.asp which provides you with an interactive map where you can enter your address and it will determine if it’s in a planning zone and with links providing additional information on storm surges and evacuations.
2. Call the Miami-Dade Answer Center at 3-1-1, or
3. Call Miami-Dade Emergency Management at 305-468-5400.
When an evacuation has been announced, the County will use radio, TV stations and the County’s notification system to alert the public. It’s important that residents have a hurricane preparedness plan which includes having a disaster kit with bottled water, gasoline, nonperishable food, blankets and comforters. Residents with pets should have a plan for their pets as well and knowledge of pet-friendly evacuation centers.
Remember to be safe and follow guidelines accordingly to reduce the risk of putting yourself and loved ones in danger. For more information on what must be done before, during and after a hurricane, as well as additional hurricane preparedness tips, visit www.miamidade.gov/hurricane.