Sheriff Rosie Cordero Stutz

Let’s Prepare: Hurricane Season Is Here, and Readiness Saves Lives

As we begin another hurricane season, I want to speak to every household in Miami-Dade County with a simple message: Prepare now. Don’t wait.

Yes, we’ve been fortunate in recent years. We’ve experienced near misses and glancing blows, such as Hurricane Michael in 2018, which became the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in U.S. since 1992.  But this string of relative calm is not a reason to let down our guard. If anything, it’s a reason to renew our commitment to preparedness—because when it comes to hurricanes, it’s not a matter of if, but when.

Living in South Florida means living with the reality of hurricane season. Every year, we face the possibility of a major storm disrupting lives, damaging property and threatening the safety of our families and neighbors. Preparedness isn’t panic. It’s smart planning.

Here’s what I suggest you do today:

• Stock up on essentials: Have at least a seven-day supply of water, non-perishable food and basic tools like flashlights and batteries.

• Know your evacuation zone: Be aware of your nearest shelter, evacuation routes and whether your home is in a flood-prone area.

• Build a safety kit: Include a first aid kit, necessary prescription or over-the-counter medications, glasses or hearing aids, baby supplies if needed, and cash in small bills.

• Secure critical documents: Keep copies of IDs, insurance information and important medical records in a waterproof container.

• Make a family plan: Talk with your loved ones about where you’ll go, how you’ll communicate and what to do in different scenarios.

Recently, I visited the National Hurricane Center at Florida International University and had a meaningful conversation with the center’s director and staff. I also met with representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to strengthen coordination and response efforts for potential storms. Their work is vital. Together, we reviewed what’s at stake and how law enforcement and emergency response agencies can partner even more effectively to protect lives and property in the event of a major storm.

 That visit was a powerful reminder: Preparedness is a shared responsibility. It starts with each of us at home, but it expands across neighborhoods, agencies and communities.

Miami-Dade is strong, resilient and united. But strength alone is not enough. We must match it with preparation and a willingness to act ahead of time—not after the storm is on our doorstep.

Let’s not wait for a warning to start thinking about what we should have done. Let’s do it now. Check your supplies. Talk to your family. Know your plan.

 For more information, including how to prepare your home, access the MDSO Hurricane Season Guide at www.MDSO.com. 

We’ve seen what hurricanes can do. We’ve also seen what preparation can prevent. Let’s be ready.

Author: Sheriff Rosie Cordero Stutz