Dear Friends of District 8,

With Hurricane Irma looming, I am comforted by the conversations I’ve had over the last couple of days with our first responders, our Emergency Management professionals, and our Water & Sewer and Solid Waste Departments about their preparations for the possibility of this storm. Please do your part and be as prepared as possible. Review your emergency plans, stock your emergency kits and stay informed throughout the week. Below are highlights and links to assist you:
 
  • Miami-Dade County schools will be closed this Thursday and Friday. After School activities are cancelled this Wednesday.
  • Non-emergency related Miami-Dade County Offices will be closed this Thursday and Friday.
  • All waste services will continue to be delivered as normal until weather conditions no longer permit.
  • Do NOT trim trees or hedges or begin any major cleanup projects around the home. There is no guarantee that a pickup can occur prior to the storm’s arrival.
  • If you need to immediately dispose of household trash, yard trash and bulky items, you are advised to take trash items to one of the 13 Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers listed here: http://www.miamidade.gov/solidwaste/trash-recycling.asp .
  • Trash and Recycling Centers are open daily from 7 AM to 5:30 PM, and will have extended operating hours of 7 AM to 7 PM effective Wednesday, Sept. 6. 
  • Miami-Dade County and the American Red Cross operate Evacuation Centers (EC). These ECs provide refuges of last resort for those individuals who need to evacuate and are unable to make their own evacuation and sheltering arrangements, such as with friends, family, or in hotels outside of the evacuation zones. Hurricane Evacuation Centers Centros de evacuación   Sant evakyasyon 
  • During evacuations, Miami-Dade County also offers Pet Friendly Evacuation Centers for residents living in evacuation areas, unsafe structures or mobile homes. A family member must stay with the pet. For more information, call 311 or visit Animal Services Department's page on disaster preparedness for pets.
  • People who require special assistance in evacuating can dial 311 to get information about specialized evacuation centers.

For more information to help you prepare, please visit these Hurricane Preparedness websites: http://www.miamidade.gov/hurricane/ and http://readysouthflorida.org/ , or call 311 for further assistance.
 
 Please be prepared and be safe.