This guide is designed to help residents understand their vulnerability and what actions they need to take to reduce the effects of a hurricane making landfall in South Florida.

Please take some time to review the information with your family. In doing so, there are three questions I hope every resident considers:

• What are your personal hurricane hazards? Do you live in an evacuation zone? Do you have pets that will need a place to stay if you evacuate? If you need to shelter pets at a public facility, you must register in advance. Do you have elderly or disabled family or friends that have special needs? Call 3-1-1, the County's Answer Center, to find out about assistance.
   
• Do you have a personal preparation plan? As a community, we must be prepared to be on our own for up to 72 hours following a major storm. Each household needs to have a personal plan tailored to their own situation. If you live in an evacuation zone, it's important to know where you will stay. Remember, public shelters can be uncomfortable and should be considered a last resort. Make plans now for sheltering options. Personal preparedness also includes ensuring that your house has adequate protection. This includes impact glass or shutters.
   

Anyone who experienced Katrina and Wilma knows that post-storm power outages can last several days or longer. A generator, installed by a licensed electrician, can provide emergency power and ensure that ice, a much sought-after commodity following a storm, is available. 

• How do I get ready? First and foremost, take action now. The time to buy emergency supplies is not when we are under a hurricane watch. Now is the time for residents to gather their supplies including extra batteries, bottled water and nonperishable foods. Every household should have a personal hurricane kit that includes items to fit their specific needs, such as diapers and medications.
  

On any given day, your County government is working around the clock to provide services ranging from ensuring that we have a safe water supply, to picking up the trash, fixing roads and keeping the pubic safe and secure. During and after a storm, the role of government becomes even more critical as we quickly mobilize to address the distribution of services.

Residents can help by becoming educated on how to prepare for hurricane season and, then, take action before a storm hits. If everyone is well prepared and able to take care of their own family's needs during and immediately after a storm, County resources can be better focused on assisting those who require special assistance - the elderly, disabled and needy families.

Forecasters cannot tell us precisely where a storm will make landfall. Preparedness not only means protecting your property and taking steps to deal with the aftermath of a storm, but if a major storm strikes preparedness can save lives.

As South Floridians, we are fortunate to live in a beautiful area and enjoy a wonderful climate. But, we must also accept the responsibilities associated with living in a hurricane-prone locale. Let's take action now to get ready for any 2007 storms that might blow our way.

County Manager, George M. Burgess