- In Miami, this time of year means two things: hurricane season is in full swing, and Hurricanes football is back.
- Whether you’re preparing for kickoff or keeping an eye on the tropics, showing up without a game plan is rarely a winning strategy.
- On an episode of Jackson Health System’s On Call, Off Script, Bridget Pelaez, senior director of disaster and emergency preparedness, shared a simple message for South Floridians: Be prepared, not scared.
Know the playbook
Before a storm is headed our way, know what your family will do, where you will go if evacuation becomes necessary, and how you will stay in contact if the power or cell service goes down.
And don’t assume experience makes you invincible. As Pelaez points out, no two hurricanes are exactly alike.
Set your roster
Your hurricane plan should include everyone on the team: children, older adults, pets, and neighbors who may need extra help.
Pelaez calls it “people first, then resources.” Checking on someone before a storm can be just as important as stocking your own supplies.
Stock the sideline
Have water, nonperishable food, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, and other essentials ready for everyone in your family, including pets.
If you take medication, Pelaez recommends having a seven- to 14-day supply available and keeping a written medication list as a backup in case your phone loses power.
Don’t call the play from social media
When a storm starts developing, the group chats get loud and the doomscrolling on your phone gets louder.
Instead, Pelaez recommends following reliable sources such as the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, and local emergency management officials. Check the official updates, make the necessary adjustments, and keep moving.
Want to hear more? Listen to the full episode of On Call, Off Script to hear Pelaez explain how Jackson prepares for hurricanes and other emergencies, and what South Florida families can do to build their own game plan.
Don’t wait for the fourth quarter
The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before there’s one headed your way.
Make the plan. Get the supplies. Check on your people.
Because when hurricane season gets serious, you want to be running the playbook, not drawing up plays in the huddle.