DATE: January 19, 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: Miguel Ascarrunz, Director
Broward Emergency Management Division
PHONE: 954-831-3908
EMAIL: mascarrunz@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Florida will observe Severe Weather Awareness Week, January 22-26, and the Broward County Emergency Management Division reminds all residents that severe weather can happen at any time. In 2017, South Florida experienced a wide variety of severe weather events, including wildfires in April, heavy rainfall and flooding in June and July, Hurricane Irma in September, and tornadoes over the span of several months.
Everyone needs to be prepared year-round. Residents are encouraged to use this week to increase their knowledge of potential weather hazards, review their severe weather safety plans, and help make Broward County ready and resilient. Each day of the week, educational messages will focus on a different type of severe weather hazard, including lightning, rip currents and marine hazards, tornadoes and thunderstorms, hurricanes and flooding, and wildfires and temperature extremes.
Miguel Ascarrunz, Director of Broward County Emergency Management Division, said, "Severe Weather Awareness Week is another opportunity to remind people of the need to be prepared for anything nature may bring. Last year's severe weather events affected many residents and businesses in Broward County and many people are still recovering. Preparedness for all hazards is a community-wide effort."
Residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertBroward, Broward County's official Emergency Notification System. By signing up you'll be alerted to critical events posing imminent threat to life and property. Notifications will be sent via email, phone call or text. You decide what information you want delivered, and how you'd like to receive it.
Residents wishing to become part of a nationwide volunteer network that reports significant weather can enroll in the SKYWARN Storm Spotters class, hosted by Broward County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service. The next class will be held from 10AM to 2:30PM, Saturday, February 24th, at the Broward County Emergency Operations Center, 201 NW 84th Avenue, Plantation. Early registration is encouraged as class size is limited to 60. To register, email Robin Terrill.
About Emergency Management Division
The Broward County Emergency Management Division develops and implements comprehensive emergency planning, response, mitigation and recovery activities in order to save lives and protect property in emergencies. Technical assistance is available to develop and maintain emergency plans for all types of hazards. Free training and presentations are available to the public on request. For more information, visit Broward.org/Emergency, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or call 954-831-3900.