City of Sunny Isles Beach Official Website
By Jeniffer Viscarra, Commissioner
(Friday, July 5, 2024) – According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2024 hurricane season (June 1 – November 30) promises above-normal activity in the Atlantic. Not all storms become hurricanes, of course, but strong storms still present their challenges in SIB, particularly with f looding. Therefore, it’s important that we all remain alert so that we can make the best decisions for our families.
When a hurricane approaches, the city’s Building Department and Code Enforcement will secure city properties, ensuring that equipment and debris do not become dangerous projectiles. Homeowners must take steps to secure their properties. When possible, the city assists by providing sandbags. Condo associations must secure the common areas of buildings and complexes. Check in with your association. It’s important to know what you can expect from your HOA. You don’t want to make wrong assumptions as your safety may depend on it.
If a hurricane becomes a category 2, Sunny Isles Beach residents will be told to evacuate. Since a storm can quickly increase in intensity, I would not plan to ride out ANY category hurricane in SIB. We can be facing a category 2 or 3 from one day to the next, leaving you less time to evacuate safely. Please note, it’s not about trusting your hurricane windows, but being in a building with no power, no elevators, and NO OPTION to call 911. Emergency services will not come to you in the middle of a hurricane – certainly not when you have been ordered to evacuate.
This is the time to make your plan. If you have friends or family who can take you in for a week, make that plan with them now as hotels may be tougher to book during an evacuation. If you want to pack more lightly, coordinate Amazon deliveries with them — like inflatable mattresses, etc. Lastly, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND. They may end up stuck and dehydrated in hot dark apartments due to loss of power. If you are delayed in your return, they may run out of food and water. Include them in your plan (Amazon purchases included) and take them with you.
For information on hurricane resources, you can go to: Hurricane Readiness Guide (miamidade.gov).
Contact Commissioner Jeniffer Viscarra at seat4@sibfl.net or 305.792.1750.
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