Miami-Dade County Officials provide update on Hurricane Milton Preparations

Hurricane Milton is currently a major category 4 hurricane as it heads toward landfall on the west coast of Florida. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge to the Tampa Bay area and west coast – even as they continue to recover from Hurricane Helene.

Miami-Dade is now under a tropical storm warning. The most likely impacts in our County includes heavy rainfall, localized flooding, and sustained tropical storm force winds, starting as early as tonight. Milton is a major storm and it remains important to stay prepared as the county will be affected by the outer bands.

The Emergency Operations Center remains activated to ensure the community is ready to respond. County services including water and sewer and transit services including Metrorail, Metrobus, and Metromover currently remain open. The Trash and Recycling Centers have extended their hours until 7pm and all other waste collection services are operating normally, weather permitting.

All non-essential County government offices will be closed Wednesday. October 9 and Thursday, October 10.

As emergency personnel continue to monitor potential impacts over the next 48 hours, Miami-Dade County will keep the community updated on any other service changes.

The county announced voluntary evacuation of mobile home parks yesterday:

• The E. Darwin Fuchs Pavilion, located at 10901 Coral Way, is a pet-friendly evacuation center open only for mobile home residents who voluntarily wish to relocate.
• Miami-Dade Transit is providing transportation assistance for mobile home residents who are voluntarily evacuating; residents should call the 311 Contact Center or submit the online form for assistance to request transportation assistance. 311 is open extended hours until 10 pm tonight.

Miami-Dade County departments have been aggressively preparing for and responding to flooding over the last few days.

Yesterday, the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) Department began distributing sandbags at nine regional parks countywide. PROS has already successfully distributed more than 70,000 sandbags to residents in need and the majority of our sites have closed based on the enormous demand.

The County is grateful for the many residents and families who have volunteered to foster the most vulnerable cats and dogs from the Animal Services Department (ASD). ASD staff has been overwhelmed by the number of residents who have stepped up to take in pets this week and Miami-Dade remains extremely grateful for their service.

MIA is currently open and operating, although some airlines have cancelled or will cancel flights. Travelers are encouraged to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport. 

PortMiami is currently under port readiness condition Yankee. Under Yankee, the Port will not be receiving any inbound vessels and crews are busy emptying yards this morning. The tunnel is closed into the port but remains open for outbound vehicles.

The US Coast Guard also announced that they will begin locking down all drawbridges for boat traffic starting at noon today.

It is important that the community takes key steps to prepare:

• Gather hurricane supplies now. Make sure three days of supplies (e.g., non-perishable food and water) are on hand for each person in the household. Residents can fill their own containers with Miami-Dade tap water!
• Put up hurricane shutters;
• Fill any vehicle’s gas tank with gasoline. Extra gasoline should be stored in an appropriate container and in a safe area of the home;
• Do not trim trees or shrubs at this time. The County’s 13 Trash and Recycling Centers have extended their operating hours and will remain open until 7 p.m. today.
• Make sure home, yard and construction debris are properly secured. Any objects that hurricane winds could blow about should have been tied down or brought indoors (garbage cans, patio furniture, garden tools, toys, etc.).

Keep in mind the following flood and water safety measures:

• Help minimize overflows to the wastewater system by keeping manhole covers closed, and by minimizing water usage in the morning and evening during heavy rain.
• Residents can report severe flooding within unincorporated Miami-Dade or the city of Miami by calling 311 or using the 311Direct app. Residents should only call 911 if they have a medical- or life-threatening emergency.
• County crews are on standby to drain flooded areas as needed.
• Residents and visitors are urged to practice flood safety – “turn around don’t drown,” AVOID walking or driving in flooded areas.
• Head to miamidade.gov/hurricane or download the Ready MDC app for more flood safety information and updates.

Continue monitoring local media and verified social media platforms as the County shares important updates this week.