With the approach of Hurricane Irma, local officials are urging residents to prepare for possible evacuations.
“Now is the time to prepare,” said Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief. “Do not wait until the last minute.”
Sharief said residents should have a plan in place in case they need to evacuate. She encouraged residents to sign up for emergency alerts and to have a go-bag ready with essential items like medicine, food and water.
“We are urging everyone in Broward County to take this seriously,” she said.
In Miami-Dade County, Mayor Carlos Gimenez has issued a mandatory evacuation order for all residents in Zone A, which includes much of the county’s coast. He said the order will go into effect at 8 a.m. Friday.
“This is a dangerous hurricane,” Gimenez said. “I cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone to leave.”
Gimenez said all residents in Zone A should evacuate to a shelter or a friend or family member’s home outside of the evacuation zone. He said there are 42 shelters open in Miami-Dade County, and that residents should only go to shelters if they have no other options.
“If you can leave, you need to leave,” he said.
The mayor said all residents should have a go-bag ready with essential items like medicine, food and water. He also encouraged residents to sign up for emergency alerts.
“This is a life-threatening situation,” he said. “Please take this seriously.”
In Palm Beach County, officials are urging residents to begin preparations for possible evacuations.
“We are urging everyone in Palm Beach County to take this seriously,” said Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. “Now is the time to prepare.”
Bradshaw said residents should have a plan in place in case they need to evacuate. He encouraged residents to sign up for emergency alerts and to have a go-bag ready with essential items like medicine, food and water.
“We are urging everyone in Palm Beach County to take this seriously,” he said.
