Hurricane Press Conference 6-1-22
Summary
TLDROn June 1st, Miami-Dade County officials welcomed the start of the 2022 hurricane season with a preparedness briefing. They thanked key partners like the American Red Cross and the National Weather Service and introduced the new Assistant Director for Emergency Management, Pete Gomez. The season is expected to be intense, with 14-21 named storms predicted. Residents were urged to stay informed, be storm-ready, make a plan, and get vaccinated. The county is monitoring weather systems and preparing for potential impacts, emphasizing the importance of early preparation and community resilience.
Takeaways
- 🌪️ The speech marks the first day of hurricane season (June 1st) and emphasizes preparation for emergencies like hurricanes and pandemics.
- 👥 Special thanks were given to key partners including the American Red Cross, Greater Miami Convention, Florida Power & Light, and the National Weather Service.
- 📅 The 2022 hurricane season is expected to be highly active, running from June 1st to November 30th, with forecasts predicting 14 to 21 named storms.
- 📲 Residents are encouraged to stay informed via Miami-Dade's website, Ready Miami-Dade app, and social media channels for storm updates.
- 🌧️ The remnants of Hurricane Agatha are already expected to bring heavy rain, emphasizing the urgency to prepare for the hurricane season.
- 📦 Key steps for hurricane preparedness include: staying informed, being storm-ready, making a plan, and getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
- 🏠 Residents should know if they live in a flood zone and have an evacuation plan in place. Over half of Miami-Dade County lives in storm surge evacuation zones.
- 🐶 Miami-Dade has pet-friendly evacuation centers, and residents should bring supplies for their pets in case of evacuation.
- 💉 Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended as part of hurricane preparedness, especially for those who may need to shelter with others.
- 📞 Emergency services and evacuation assistance are available through Miami-Dade County, including a special evacuation assistance program for residents with medical needs.
Q & A
What is the primary purpose of the press conference held on June 1st?
-The press conference is held to mark the first day of the 2022 hurricane season and to emphasize the importance of preparation and readiness for potential hurricanes and other emergencies.
Who are the key stakeholders mentioned in the press conference for hurricane preparation?
-Key stakeholders include the Miami-Dade County Emergency Management team, Chairman Jose Pepe Diaz, Commissioner Rebecca Sosa, the American Red Cross, Florida Power and Light, the National Weather Service, and other partners.
What are the four key steps residents should take to prepare for the hurricane season?
-The four key steps are: 1) Stay informed, 2) Be storm ready, 3) Make a plan, and 4) Get vaccinated.
What actions can residents take to be storm ready?
-Residents should trim their trees, prepare storm shutters, have enough food and supplies for 72 hours, and avoid buying bottled water, as Miami-Dade County water is safe to store in containers for emergencies.
How can residents stay informed before, during, and after a storm?
-Residents can sign up for Miami-Dade Alerts, download the Ready Miami-Dade app, follow the county’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, or call the 311 emergency line for up-to-date information.
What should residents do if they live in a storm surge or flood zone?
-Residents in storm surge zones should know their evacuation zone, prepare to leave early if needed, and run from the water (evacuate) while hiding from the wind (seek shelter).
What special provisions are available for residents with medical or evacuation needs?
-Residents with medical or special evacuation needs are encouraged to sign up for the Special Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP) through the Miami-Dade County website or by calling 311.
What is the recommendation regarding COVID-19 vaccination during hurricane season?
-Residents are encouraged to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 to protect themselves, especially if they need to evacuate or shelter with extended family.
What precautions will be in place at evacuation centers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic?
-Evacuation centers will allow for social distancing, provide masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and wipes. Residents are encouraged to bring additional supplies, and everyone will be screened for symptoms upon entry.
What advice was given regarding price gouging during emergencies?
-Miami-Dade Police will work with the state attorney's office to take a zero-tolerance approach toward price gouging on items such as gas and food. Residents are encouraged to report instances of price gouging by calling 305-471-TIPS.
Outlines
🌪️ Opening of Hurricane Preparedness Event
The speaker begins by welcoming the audience on June 1st, the first day of hurricane season, and thanking various officials, partners like the American Red Cross, and the emergency management team for their support and efforts to prepare for potential emergencies. The new assistant director for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Pete Gomez, is introduced.
🌧️ Expectations for the 2022 Hurricane Season
The speaker highlights that the 2022 hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th and urges residents to stay alert. Forecasts predict an above-normal season with potential intense storms, including tracking remnants of Hurricane Agatha. The speaker emphasizes the need for early preparedness and lists four key steps: staying informed, being storm-ready, making a plan, and getting vaccinated.
🌳 Steps to Be Storm-Ready
The speaker explains how residents can be storm-ready by receiving the 2022 hurricane readiness guide, trimming trees, securing storm shutters, and stocking up on essential supplies. They also recommend using Miami-Dade's high-quality water rather than buying bottled water and taking advantage of the state's tax-free hurricane supply holiday.
📋 Importance of Evacuation Planning
The speaker discusses evacuation plans, especially for residents in flood zones. They stress knowing flood risks, signing up for special evacuation assistance if needed, and preparing to leave early if evacuation is necessary. The speaker also explains how to find evacuation centers, including pet-friendly ones, and emphasizes the priority given to elderly and special-needs residents.
💉 Vaccination as Part of Hurricane Preparedness
Getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 is presented as a critical part of hurricane preparedness. The speaker highlights the importance of protecting oneself and others, especially in shelters, and explains that Miami-Dade’s vaccination and testing centers will remain available during hurricane season.
📚 Continuing Hurricane Preparations and Community Resilience
The speaker reiterates the importance of continuous hurricane preparedness, especially as climate change increases storm risks. They emphasize investments in infrastructure to build a more resilient future and encourage residents to stay informed, follow emergency plans, and be proactive during hurricane season.
🌀 Chairman's Remarks on Current Storm Conditions
Chairman Pepe Diaz adds to the discussion by urging common sense as storms approach. He mentions the ongoing rain and flooding risks, explaining that storm preparations, especially cutting trees or clearing debris, should not be done close to a storm. The importance of communication and monitoring government updates is highlighted.
📞 Communication and Coordination During Storms
The chairman stresses the importance of having communication tools like battery-powered radios and cell phone chargers during storms. He advises families to have evacuation plans, stock essential supplies, and be ready for potential power outages. County offices are available for support and information.
📡 Miami-Dade's Hurricane Preparedness Operations
Commissioner Sally Heyman praises Miami-Dade's emergency operations center (EOC) and seamless collaboration with the fire department. She highlights the county's extensive preparedness resources and emphasizes the media’s role in empowering residents with accurate information. The EOC is recognized at state and federal levels.
👶 Addressing Baby Formula Shortages and Price Gouging
The speaker addresses concerns about the national baby formula shortage, explaining that while Miami-Dade does not have special supplies, there is a small emergency stock for shelters. Price gouging during emergencies is a serious crime, and law enforcement will take a zero-tolerance approach.
⚡ Safety Measures After the Storm
The police department highlights the dangers of downed power lines and standing water following storms, urging residents to stay indoors until emergency services deem it safe. Residents are advised to report price gouging or safety issues to authorities.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Hurricane Season
💡Preparedness
💡Evacuation Centers
💡Storm Surge Zones
💡Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP)
💡COVID-19 Vaccination
💡NOAA Forecast
💡Price Gouging
💡Special Needs Population
💡Climate Change
Highlights
June 1st marks the first day of the 2022 hurricane season, which runs until November 30th.
Miami-Dade County's emergency management team works year-round to ensure the community is safe from hurricanes, pandemics, and other emergencies.
The 2022 hurricane season is expected to be intense, with NOAA forecasting 14 to 21 named storms, 6 to 10 of which could become hurricanes, and 3 to 6 potentially being major hurricanes.
A developing storm, the remnants of Hurricane Agatha, could become a tropical depression, bringing heavy rain to the Miami-Dade area.
Key steps to prepare for hurricane season: Stay informed, be storm-ready, make a plan, and get vaccinated.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Miami-Dade alerts and download the Ready Miami-Dade app for real-time updates during storms.
Miami-Dade County's Hurricane Readiness Guide is available in English, Spanish, and Creole, providing essential information on preparedness.
Residents should have enough food and supplies for 72 hours after a storm and use containers to store Miami-Dade County’s high-quality tap water.
The state’s tax-free hurricane preparedness holiday runs until June 10th, encouraging residents to purchase supplies.
Over half of Miami-Dade County residents live in storm surge evacuation zones, and they should plan to evacuate early if needed.
Residents with medical or special needs should sign up for the Special Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP) ahead of time.
Evacuation centers will prioritize the elderly and special needs residents, with over 81 centers available, including pet-friendly options.
In response to COVID-19, evacuation centers will continue social distancing practices, and residents are encouraged to wear masks.
Miami-Dade County is prepared with ample evacuation centers, medical evacuation centers, and facilities to accommodate over 100,000 residents.
Residents should avoid trimming trees or putting out yard waste as storms approach to prevent debris from becoming hazardous in high winds.
Transcripts
good morning everyone thank you for
joining us today june 1st first day of
hurricane season
we want to welcome you and thank you for
helping us to be prepared
i want to particularly thank our
chairman jose pepe diaz our commissioner
rebecca sosa
and all the members of the board of
county commissioners who stand in
support each and every year as we
prepare for this time
we have the american red cross the
greater convention greater miami
convention and visitors bureau florida
power and light and the national weather
service's key partners
and many others and of course i want to
thank our incredible emergency
management team
that works so hard all year round
and especially during this critical
season to keep us safe from all
emergencies hurricanes pandemics and
anything in between
it's an all hazards approach to disaster
preparation and response and i am
especially excited today to introduce to
you our newly appointed assistant
director for miami-dade fire rescue
responsible for the office of emergency
management pete gomez
pete
thank you mayor all right uh he is um
this is not his first rodeo or hurricane
so welcome pete thank you
very good and so today marks the first
day of the 2022 hurricane season
it runs from june 1st to november 30th
and to all of our residents it's time to
listen up
to get prepared to keep an eye out on
miami-dade county's communications
channels for the most updated
information on developing storms when
they happen so together we can all stay
safe
this year we expect intense activity
once again and we're already monitoring
developing weather systems
we're tracking the remnants of hurricane
agatha the mystery hurricane which be
could become a tropical depression as it
moves northeast towards our
country
regardless of development we're
expecting to get heavy rain on friday
and saturday and so that is a critical
reminder that the time to get ready for
hurricanes is now
the national oceanic atmospheric
administration is forecasting an above
normal season with 14 to 21 named storms
six to ten that could become hurricanes
and three to six that could be major
hurricanes
but we all know too well that just one
storm can cause a catastrophic impact on
our community so we will not skip or
skimp on preparations to make sure we
are all safe and prepared as we can
possibly be so i want to remind
residents of four key steps to take to
be prepared this hurricane season number
one stay informed
number two be storm ready number three
make a plan and number four get your
shot
i've had my second booster and i'm so
glad i have so first to stay informed i
can't emphasize enough how important it
is for everyone to stay informed before
during and after a storm whenever we
face a storm having accurate information
readily available is key and there are
several ways you can get updates from
the county so go to our website
miamidade.gov to sign up for miami-dade
alerts it's simple and easy just type
alerts into the search window and follow
the directions from there we have an app
download the app
ready miami-dade it's on your phone it's
on your ipad everyone should have it on
their smartphones as we head into
hurricane season you can download it
today
and it has up-to-date information it's
available through your apple store or
through google play and follow us
on the county's twitter and facebook
accounts or call 311 our emergency line
second what does it mean to be storm
ready as we speak
the 2022 hurricane readiness guide is
being delivered to every household in
the county with information in english
spanish and creole i got mine did you
get yours
okay
so they've been hitting the mailboxes
for the past few weeks
and if you haven't received one you
should get it very soon they're also
available online at miamidade.gov
hurricane and at our libraries so please
if you have not received one you can
pick one up at the library or download
it and here's what you can do to be
storm ready each and every one of us
needs to take these steps
trim your trees if you have trees
prepare your storm shutters have enough
food and supplies on hand to keep your
family safe for 72 hours
after the storm has passed and remember
you do not need to go out and buy water
miami-dade county water is excellent
first rate put it in containers and keep
it ready for an emergency
we also encourage you to take advantage
of the state's tax-free hurricane tax
holiday this is on
it started just a couple of days ago and
runs through june 10th so we encourage
you to take advantage and buy your
supplies today
so third what does it mean to make a
plan we want to make sure all residents
know exactly what they need to do and
where they
will need to go if a hurricane
affects us
so first of all do you live in a flood
zone that's important to know more than
half of our residents in miami-dade
county live in a storm surge evacuation
zone
every resident should know if you live
in an area that is prone to flooding and
so how do you find out visit
miamidade.gov
hurricane next what will you do if you
need to evacuate prepare to leave early
to get to a safe location until after
the storm passes and the roads are clear
to return home the county's priority
will be serving our elderly and special
needs residents first
if you're going to evacuate because you
live in a storm surge zone you only need
to travel a couple of dozen miles to get
out of the evacuation zone so remember
you run from the water and you hide from
the wind run from the water and hide
from the wind also it is very important
do not wait until a storm is coming our
way
if you or a family member have medical
needs special evacuation needs we can
ask you please to sign up on our special
emergency evacuation assistance program
or eeap it's on our website you can
complete an application sign up now you
can register also for emergency
evacuation at miamidade.gov
emergency or you can call 311. i can't
emphasize how important that is if you
or someone you know will need assistance
evacuating the time to sign up is now
don't wait
and what do you need to know about
evacuation centers it's very important
to not wait until we announce which
centers are open not every evacuation
center will open for every storm so we
want to avoid confusion at the
evacuation centers our elderly and
special needs residents will continue to
be our top priority and employees are
trained to oper operate these centers
during emergencies
our 81 total evacuation centers include
medical evacuation centers for those who
need special assistance
and we have
over a hundred thousand residents
that can be accommodated in those
medical centers and we can expand based
on need so we are hurricane ready and we
will open more sites as we need and we
also have pet friendly evacuation
centers so be sure to bring a kennel
some some pet food and other necessary
pet items okay they're they're happy
they'll take care of
okay
you can check at our app also ready
miami-dade to see which centers are pet
friendly and what you need to bring
so the fourth and final key step to
prepare for hurricane season and this is
relatively new one is get your shot
if you haven't already gotten vaccinated
and boosted against covet 19 now is a
critical time to do so protecting
ourselves and our loved ones from covet
19 which is still with us goes hand in
hand with preparing for hurricane season
in case you need to evacuate or shelter
in place with extended families so don't
wait until the storm comes our
centers are available for testing and
vaccination uh and cdc is recommending
covid19 vaccines including two boosters
for everyone ages five years and older
and oh excuse me everyone to get
vaccines and a booster for five and
older and anyone 50 or older or
vulnerable two boosters
right
that's some of us here
remember getting your
your vaccine is part of being hurricane
brady
and while we are very proud to be the
most vaccinated county in the state of
florida our seven-day positivity rate is
now at 20 percent
so we all know people
who are getting sick and unfortunately
staying home fortunately the hospital
census is staying low
so we're not at critical levels but we
must must take steps so our evacuation
centers will continue allowing for safe
social distancing
although it will not be mandatory we are
going to recommend that residents wear
masks to best protect all of those
visiting the center and supply kits with
masks gloves hand sanitizer and wipes
will be available for everyone who needs
it at an evacuation center
never a bad idea to bring additional
supplies
on your own everyone will be screened at
these centers their temperatures will be
taken and they'll be asked if they have
any symptoms and if they need to be
isolated
due to illness they will be isolated so
just as last year miami-dade county
public schools will make sure that their
facilities are sanitized before opening
any evacuation centers so
finally although these tips may not be
new to many who live here in miami-dade
county it's important for all of us to
stay on top of our plans and be prepared
for any storms that might come our way
as climate change continues to threaten
our county we may see more frequent and
intense storms and flooding and that's
why it is a key priority of my
administration to both keep our
community prepared and to invest in a
more resilient future
we need to make sure our infrastructure
is hurricane ready and storm ready so we
can prepare for tomorrow's threats so
let's all be smart let's be prepared
let's stay safe this hurricane season
together thank you and god bless
informancy
[Music]
and now to our chairman pepe diaz thank
you
thank you madam mayor and thank you for
what you're doing and how we're
preparing for this season um as the
mayor said we have x amount of named
storms that could possibly hit and will
be formed within our
area
um that is what's being expected the
most important thing
on this is the storm that we are looking
at at this time that
the weather forecasters have noticed
that it is possibly hitting our way at
what intensity we don't know
then we do know that the favorable
conditions are there for it to to grow
and become maybe
a damaging storm
so for that reason we need to be
prepared as the mayor has stated we need
to make sure that the most important
thing is common sense
right now is not the time to cut
everything and take it outside
simply the storm is pretty close to us
and the rain is constant it will be
raining for the next several days
therefore we already had some flooding
in certain parts we would probably get a
lot more as the storm intensifies and
heads into our area as the mayor said
also this is a water storm no matter how
we look at it so i already reached out
to south florida water management for
the last two days they have been
dropping the levels and making sure that
all the pumps and everything within its
system is perfectly functional and
that's important for all of us because
we have lived through flooding and many
occasions in all parts of day county
so
we have
uh
the other important things the mayor
said is preparedness please
don't wait start getting your your
things that are needed as it's done in
the guide as the man the mayor mentioned
it's all here
we need to be not only prepared for
food and you don't have to go out and
buy water as the mayor stated also
but you do have to have food for at
least two to three days to minister to
your family and the people around you
and that's the other important thing
your family you need to have a plan of
evacuation and know what could happen in
case something does take place it's not
good for last minute to try to plan
things that's important medical
situations you need to have medicine the
medicine that you need to have you have
to have it ready to go and in case you
need to get evacuated for any given
reason
all these things are common
to us that have lived here a long time
because we have endured many storms some
very big hurricanes as we did
way back several years ago we have been
lucky so far to miss some very big
hurricanes that could have hit us and
hit us devastating
so with that
we as a community work together
in these times communication is the most
important thing that also you need to
have
that is something of a must
sometimes the electricity will will
will not be there due to maybe trees
falling on lines or whatever could
happen therefore battery radios are
important the most important thing is
communication
and a way to make sure batteries for
your phones to recharge your cell phones
and all the things are stated once again
in the book that
should be at your homes in any case the
commissioner's offices are available for
information at all times
and of course the mayor's office and the
administration
so
working together is important being
with common sense is that much more
important communication is important the
vital things that you need in case you
have to evacuate is also important
other things that we need to do is pay
attention pay attention to the
government
as in case things do come up we will
have press conference the mayor's we'll
call the mayor will call a press
conference and we will give you that
information that you need and as
shelters in case of need have to be
brought into
line
make sure that you are aware around your
area
what possible shelters could be but
please pay attention to what
will be
preceded in advance notice before any
kind of a storm so once again
be prepared
understand your plan with your family
understand
the medicines make sure you have plenty
of that the food that you need do not
stock up on water or water is perfectly
good unless that's what you prefer to do
that's on you do not start cutting trees
right now until after this storm goes by
and then trim the trees as the mayor
stated and make sure because it's not
the time to turn a whole tree and put it
out which in the wind might be flying
everywhere and cause damage to other
people
so with that thank you mayor for that
let me say a couple words in spanish
it's
preparado
[Music]
thank you so much i know that our
commissioner sally heyman would like to
say a few words and then we have
several here i'll introduce for uh
questions
and our haitian creole translation
thank you mayor
i stand with my colleagues today in the
administration
with incredible confidence
for the exceptional status of our eoc
we are unique
not only recognized at the state and
federal level and awarded as such
but we have a seamless operation you're
seeing quite a few people in uniform
from our fire department our eoc is part
of the fire department and operates
seamless
we are the best resource for the people
but the most important thing that we do
whether it's the brochure that's in
every household now and across the
county is empower the people with proper
information we have the most resources
established by county administration
than any other county
we are prepared as a government
we are reaching out to all of you and
especially the media
to help us empower our constituents our
residents our businesses and most
especially the people visiting to be
prepared we are standing ready to serve
but you are the front line for your
protection thank you very much and with
confidence i look forward to a calm
and
uh safe hurricane season thank you thank
you commissioner thank you so much and
i'd like to invite up our creole
translator do you want to make a comment
commissioner
commissioner you spoke my colleagues my
share spoke the only thing that i am i
want to say is
may god bless us all and take care of
our county
and our people
gracias
yes and as well i want to make sure you
all know that we have with us our
interim chief of public safety freddie
ramirez our
interim police miami-dade police
department director
george perez alan kaminsky chief of
miami-dade fire rescue and pete gomez as
was previously said over our office of
emergency management and
we will have our creole translation and
then we'll open for questions
please
[Music]
so
as a as a reminder all of the 13
commissioners offices
participate in hurricane preparedness
and response and are available to all of
the public so now we're open for any
questions please
yes
so baby supply a baby formula is of
course a national crisis and we know
that at the federal level they have
taken certain actions to
move more quickly to production and also
to bringing it in from outside the
country
we do not have a special supply we do
have a small supply for our
emergency shelters
as far as probably the police
as far as
price challenging things like that
price gouging is definitely a crime
thank you so much would you fred you
want to address the price gouging
good morning everyone absolutely like
with every mobilization the police will
mobilize with our state attorney kathy
rundle and we'll take a zero tolerance
approach to any abuses of price gouging
be a gas food or anything especially
during these difficult times we will be
vigilant if you get any information on
that i always recommend you call 305 471
tips for any uh tips on that type of
crime thank
from the you department
as far as
safety after the storm
good morning biggest concern down power
lines as well as standing water
so remaining inside your house until the
fire department roams around and makes
sure everything is secure and safe
to come outside
other questions
all right let's all be safe thank you
god bless
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