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Storm Education
Be Prepared!
Before and After the Storm
Hurricane Season June 1 - November 30
Prepare Your Home
- Bring in lawn furniture or other outdoor items not tied down that could become airborne.
- Repair or replace broken or damaged fences.
- Inspect the roof for loose tiles, shingles or debris. Secure roof tarps.
- Windows and doors should be secured with storm shutters or by boarding up windows with 5/8-inch plywood. Inspect existing shutters to ensure they are in good working order. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
- Trailer boats should be removed from the water and securely stored at least 48 hours before a hurricane is expected to make landfall. Moor the boat in a previously identified safe area.
- Remove tents, blow up pools and any other miscellaneous items stored outdoors that can become projectiles.
Construction Sites
- In the event of a tropical storm warning or hurricane watch, contractors are obligated to secure their work sites. Potentially hazardous objects including roll-off containers must be covered, fastened down or removed.
- Secure all loose materials (roof tiles, canisters, porta-potties, etc.)
- At the time of a declared hazardous weather condition, all sites shall be secured and the following conditions adhered to:
- Dumpster(s) shall be removed from the site or secured in a way to prevent debris from becoming a nuisance to the surrounding community.
- All material shall be secured inside any structure or removed from the site.
- No material shall be delivered to the site if a weather warning of any kind has been declared.
- All roofing material that has not been installed shall be removed from the roof and secured as detailed above.
- All fence screening shall be dropped and any fence sections whose poles are not securely installed into the ground shall be removed from the property or secured on the property.
- Any violations shall be subject to civil penalty of $500. Additionally, no final inspection shall be granted until such time as all code violations have been abated.
Waste Disposal
- Secure your trash and recycling carts in a garage, utility shed or covered patio.
- Bulk trash route suspensions will be announced within 48-hours of a storm making landfall.
- Trash placed out for pick-up after services have been suspended should be removed from curbside.
Tree and Lawn Preparation
- Do not begin any tree pruning or cleanup activities, or place trash on the curb, during a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning.
- Prune trees during the tree species’ dormant season or during early spring.
- Landscapers and residents should not blow grass clippings onto sidewalks, streets and storm drains, which can lead to street flooding. Instead, grass clippings should be bagged or blown back onto the lawn where they can serve as natural mulch.
- Bulk trash piles should not exceed 8 cubic yards. (12 ft. (length) X 6 ft. (width) X 3 ft. (height). Only one pile per property can be placed out for your designated pick-up day.
Windows and Doors
- Once a storm threat is announced, windows and doors should be secured with storm shutters or by boarding windows with plywood. Inspect existing shutters to ensure they are in good working order. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
- Shutters and plywood must begin to be removed 72 hours after the storm subsides, per City code.
Tips for inspecting your home post-hurricane
Safety
- Stay inside or shelter in place until local authorities say it is safe to go outside.
- Immediately following a storm, City staff will begin clearing the roads for emergency vehicles and hurricane debris pick-up.
- Inspect your home for damage to ensure that it’s safe to stay there, and check for gas leaks.
- Contact your insurance agent. Take pictures of all your damaged property and keep records of all repair and clean-up costs.
- Representatives from the North Miami Building Department will assess damages to buildings and homes throughout the City. If you have any damages, please contact the Building Department at 305-895-9822.
Hurricane Debris
- Do not mix yard waste (vegetation) with garbage or any other debris. Trash and vegetative debris must be properly separated to guarantee removal.
- Use clear plastic bags for hurricane vegetative debris.
- Separate debris by category: household garbage, construction debris, vegetative debris, household hazardous waste, white goods, large electrical household appliances and electronics.
Debris Removal occurs in 3 phrases
- Phase 1: Removal of vegetation (large trees, branches, leaves, logs and limbs).
- Phase 2: Removal of any construction and household debris.
- Phase 3: Removal of any remaining leaves and loose vegetation.
Flood Waters
- Do not drive or walk through standing water. It may be much deeper than you realize and contain hidden hazards.
- Following a storm, if there are broken or leaking pipes, hydrants, manholes or water meters call the North Miami Emergency Operations Center at 305-893-6511.
Sanitation
- Be prepared for adjustments to sanitation schedules after a hurricane.
- Put all household, recycle and yard waste, in garbage bags for disposal until your regular services resumes.
- Place all trash in an accessible area away from power lines, fences, and trees.
Electrical and Gas Safety
- Stay away from powerlines and electrical wires.
- Please advise FP&L if there are any down powerlines in your area by calling at 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) or 305-442-8770.
- If you suspect a gas leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows and leave the house immediately. Then call your gas company. Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.
Fallen Tree? Submit A Request If… Access to your driveway or the front door of your property is blocked because a tree owned or planted by the City of North Miami fell from a city swale and passed your property line. A tree owned or planted by the City of North Miami fell onto your residence or business from a city swale. Submit your request online |