Be Prepared • Stay Informed • Evacuate if Necessary

With careful planning and calm, quick action, you can minimize the damage and threat when the wind and water begin to rise. Follow these basic steps and stay in touch with local media throughout any major weather event.

If a storm is approaching
Do not trim trees or hedges. Bring in your lawn furniture and garbage cans. Turn your refrigerator to its lowest setting and fill your bathtub with water and your car with gas. Charge your cell phone and visit your bank or ATM for cash. Before evacuating, secure your home, unplug all appliances, eat a good meal, collect your evacuation supplies and leave! Monitor the storm from your evacuation site.

Keep it simple – evacuate
North Bay Village is an island community only a few feet above sea level. All areas east of the intra-coastal waterway must evacuate when a hurricane warning of any category is issued by the National Weather Service. Even a Category 1 hurricane can bring a storm surge over our islands causing tremendous damage. The upper floors of a high-rise are not necessarily safe.  A storm surge can erode the underground supports of a building. Power failures will disable elevators and the fire hazard is strong. Also, emergency help may not be available. Have a first and second location to stay inland. Some hotels take hurricane deposits to reserve a room. Do not wait until the last hour as roads will be jammed with traffic. A Red Cross shelter should be your last alternative as they are crowded, uncomfortable and offer little privacy.

Boaters beware ...
If your boat is less than 25 feet, trailer it and put it in a garage or secure area. Outdoors, it can be weighted down with water and strapped and staked to the ground. Larger boats and houseboats must be moved to safe harbor. Reserve your alternative site now! Remember that bridges will be locked down once a hurricane warning is issued.

The Aftermath
Have your driver’s license ready, you will be asked to show proof of residency upon returning to North Bay Village. Do not drive on flooded roads. The City will most likely be without power.  Do not enter your home if it has structural damage. Call police only to report injuries, downed power lines, ruptured gas lines or overturned gas tanks. Be patient! Utility companies will already be working to restore power, water and telephone.

Emergency Contacts
  American Red Cross: 1-800-RED-CROSS
  Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH):  1-877-221-7233
  Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
  National Insurance Consumer Help Line:  1-800-942-4242
  The Insurance Information Institute: 1-800-331-9146