While we keep a wary eye on the systems tracked by the National Hurricane Center, it\u2019s time to prepare for the worst. Like knowing about power outages, evacuation orders and flood risks.<\/p>\n
Here are the emergency websites, phone numbers and social media accounts you should save to get crucial information in South Florida before, during and after a storm crisis:<\/p>\n
Miami-Dade County ![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/020919222_fitted.jpeg\" "\\"020919222_fitted.jpeg\\"")
The Miami Herald front page on Friday, Aug. 28, 1992. \u201cWe Need Help\u201d as Hurricane Andrew aftermath overwhelmed during relief efforts in Miami-Dade. Miami Herald File <\/p>\n
Miami-Dade County\u2019s Office of Emergency Management<\/a> supports the community\u2019s disaster preparedness and has a variety of useful resources including hurricane preparation guides and information on emergency evacuations, Red Cross shelters, storm surge.<\/p>\n For tropical storm and hurricane specific information, including on evacuation zones, visit miamidade.gov\/hurricane<\/a><\/p>\n Phone: Call 311 for general information and to report problems including downed traffic signs and blocked roadways.<\/p>\n If you feel your life is in danger, call 911. If you cannot call, text 911. If texting, enter 911 in the \u201cTo\u201d field, then enter your location and a short description of the emergency and hit send. Do not send pictures, videos, emojis, group messages, slang, abbreviations or web links.<\/p>\n App: You can download \u201cReadyMDC\u201d to your Apple<\/a> or Android<\/a> smartphone for \u201cup-to-the minute hurricane info.\u201d<\/p>\n Emergency evacuation assistance program:<\/p>\n If people need assistance with evacuation and sheltering because they require special transportation<\/a>, have no transportation or have medical needs that prevent leaving the area on their own, they are encouraged to register with the county by calling 305-513-7700. You should not wait until an evacuation order is given to request being added to the registry as resources are limited.<\/p>\n The county says residents in assisted living facilities or nursing homes don\u2019t qualify for this program because those businesses must have their own emergency plans.<\/p>\n Shutter installation assistance:<\/p>\n The county has a year-round first-come, first-served paint and hurricane shutter loan program that helps homeowners with a \u201clow to moderate\u201d household income to have the exterior of their home painted or accordion hurricane shutters installed. Keep in mind that a lien will be placed on your home.<\/p>\n Seniors and adults with disabilities who already have shutters (that were obtained from Miami-Dade County) and need help installing them ahead of a storm can also request help through Miami-Dade\u2019s Residential Shuttering Program, which operates during hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30). If a storm is approaching, you will receive a phone call to find out if you need help.<\/p>\n To learn about both programs, visit the county\u2019s website.<\/a><\/p>\n Contacts on X:<\/p>\n Miami-Dade County @MiamiDadeCounty<\/a><\/p>\n Miami-Dade Emergency Management @MiamiDadeEM<\/a><\/p>\n Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava @MayorDaniella<\/a><\/p>\n Miami-Dade Sheriff\u2019s Office @MiamiDade_SO<\/a><\/p>\n Miami Police Department @MiamiPD<\/a><\/p>\n Miami Beach Police Department @MiamiBeachPD<\/a><\/p>\n Broward County<\/p>\n Broward County\u2019s Office of Emergency Management<\/a> supports disaster preparedness and offers useful resources including hurricane prep guides and information on emergency evacuations, Red Cross shelters, storm surge.<\/p>\n For hurricane information, including evacuation plans and maps, visit broward.org\/hurricane<\/a><\/p>\n Phone: Call 311 for general information. You can also sign up to receive emergency alerts<\/a> by phone, text or email.<\/p>\n If you feel like your life is in danger, call 911. If you cannot call, text 911. If texting, enter 911 in the \u201cTo\u201d field, then enter your location and a short description of the emergency and hit send. Do not send pictures, videos, emojis, group messages, slang, abbreviations or web links.<\/p>\n If you only want emergency notifications, you can text \u201cAlertBroward\u201d to 888777. You will then need to provide your ZIP Code.<\/p>\n Emergency evacuation assistance:<\/p>\n Broward County recommends that those who are at higher risk of needing help due to disability, frailty or health, regardless of age, and choose to stay during a hurricane or other emergency should sign up for the Vulnerable Population Registry<\/a>.<\/p>\n Residents should register in advance (don\u2019t wait for a storm to be in the forecast) either online or by calling 311 because resources are limited. You can also preregister to request transportation to a shelter by calling 954-831-3902 or TTY 954-831-3940.<\/p>\n Learn more at broward.org\/atrisk<\/a><\/p>\n Contacts on X:<\/p>\n Broward County Office of Emergency Management @ReadyBroward<\/a><\/p>\n Broward Sheriff\u2019s Office @browardsheriff<\/a><\/p>\n Monroe County Monroe County\u2019s Office of Emergency Management<\/a> supports the community\u2019s disaster preparedness and has resources including hurricane prep guides and information on emergency evacuations and Red Cross shelters.<\/p>\n Evacuation maps: Check for evacuation information.<\/a><\/p>\n Phone: Sign up for emergency alerts<\/a>.<\/p>\n School updates<\/p>\n If a storm is forecast to hit South Florida while class is in session, parents and students should check email, their school website and social media for information on closings and openings.<\/p>\n \u25aa Miami-Dade Public Schools:<\/p>\n Website: dadeschools.net<\/a><\/p>\n X: @MDCPS<\/a><\/p>\n Superintendent Jos\u00e9 Dotres @SuptDotres<\/a><\/p>\n Miami-Dade schools police: @MDSPD<\/a><\/p>\n \u25aa Broward County Public Schools:<\/p>\n Website: browardschools.com<\/a><\/p>\n X: @browardschools<\/a><\/p>\n Superintendent Howard Hepburn @howardhepburn<\/a><\/p>\n \u25aa Monroe County School District:<\/p>\n Website: keysschools.com<\/a><\/p>\n X: @keysschools<\/a><\/p>\n \u25aa Archdiocese of Miami:<\/p>\n Website: miamiarch.org<\/a><\/p>\n X: @CatholicMiami<\/a><\/p>\n Florida<\/p>\n \u25aa National Hurricane Center will provide information on wind speed, the storm\u2019s development and its potential track.<\/p>\n Website: www.nhc.noaa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n X: @NHC_Atlantic<\/a><\/p>\n \u25aa National Weather Service will provide various forecast information including rain chances and potential hazards. Input your ZIP Code for the most accurate forecast.<\/p>\n Website: weather.gov<\/a><\/p>\n X: @NWSMiami<\/a> is for Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. @NWSKeyWest<\/a> is for the Florida Keys.<\/p>\n \u25aa Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):<\/p>\n Website: fema.gov<\/a><\/p>\n X: @fema<\/a><\/p>\n App: Download the free FEMA app<\/a> on your Apple or Android phone for real-time alerts, emergency shelter locations, disaster recovery centers.<\/p>\n \u25aa Florida Division of Emergency Management:<\/p>\n Website: floridadisaster.org<\/a><\/p>\n X: @FLSERT<\/a><\/p>\n Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie on X: @KevinGuthrieFL<\/a><\/p>\n Gov. Ron DeSantis on X: @GovRonDeSantis<\/a><\/p>\n To report price-gouging: Call 866-9NO-SCAM (866-966-7226) or report it through the free \u201cNo SCAM\u201d app<\/a> available for Apple and Android smartphones.<\/p>\n Power, TV, phone and Internet<\/p>\n \u25aa Florida Power and Light:<\/p>\n Website: fpl.com\/storm<\/a><\/p>\n X: @insideFPL<\/a><\/p>\n To report or check the status of an outage: Visit: fpl.com\/my-account<\/a><\/p>\n To report a dangerous condition such as a downed power line: Call 800-468-8243. If you are in danger, call 911.<\/p>\n \u25aa Florida Keys Electric Cooperative:<\/p>\n To report or check the status of an outage, visit: fkec.com\/outage-center<\/a>. You can also report an outage by calling 305-587-9256 or 800-858-8845. You can also text 451-83.<\/p>\n To report a dangerous condition such as a downed power line, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative says to call 911 and then to call the utility at 305-587-9256.<\/p>\n \u25aa Keys Energy Services:<\/p>\n To report or check the status of an outage, visit keysenergy.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n To report a dangerous condition, such as a downed power line, call 305-295-1010. If you are in danger, call 911.<\/p>\n \u25aa Xfinity<\/p>\n To report or check if a service outage has been reported in your area, go to the support page<\/a> and sign into your account.<\/p>\n Tip: Once the storm is over, if you\u2019re in need of internet, you can find a nearby Xfinity hotspot<\/a> to use. Xfinity also has a website with other useful information for when a storm hits at xfinity.com\/Response<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u25aa AT&T<\/p>\n To report or check if a service outage has been reported in your area, sign into your account online at att.com<\/a> or use the myATT app<\/a>.<\/p>\n Key West resident Pedro Lara takes a selfie in front of the Southernmost Point marker as waves from Hurricane Irma crash over the wall, September 9, 2017. CHARLES TRAINOR JR ctrainor@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n