DATE: October 4, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Margaret Stapleton, Director
Office of Public Communications
PHONE: 954-831-3890
EMAIL: mstapleton@broward.org
HURRICANE MATTHEW ADVISORY NUMBER 1
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - The National Hurricane Center has put Broward County from Deerfield Beach south under a Tropical Storm Watch, and areas north of Deerfield Beach under a Hurricane Watch. A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm wind conditions are possible within the next 48 hours. A Hurricane Watch means there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 48 hours. Residents in Hurricane Watch areas should complete their preparations as early as possible, before weather conditions begin to deteriorate.
At this time, County government is operating as usual, with no evacuations or cancellations announced.
Even though the forecast track does not show Hurricane Matthew making landfall in South Florida, we are still in the cone of concern and there is the potential for hurricane force and/or tropical storm force winds, and the possibility of isolated tornadoes affecting our area early Thursday morning through mid-day Friday.
At a noon news conference, Mayor Marty Kiar was joined by Emergency Management Director Miguel Ascarrunz, Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, and School Superintendent Robert Runcie. At this time, all schools are operating under normal schedules.
All residents are urged to take this time to prepare. Everyone should have a three day supply of water and food on hand. Be sure your gas tanks are full and you have cash available as power outages could disable ATM's. People taking medications should also be sure they have a supply on hand. Much more information about what you can do to prepare can be found by visiting broward.org/hurricane. You can also:
Follow Broward County on Twitter @ReadyBroward
Subscribe to Broward County Emergency Updates via email
"Like" us on Facebook.com/BrowardEMD
Visit Broward.org/Hurricane for more information and an extensive A-Z guide to preparedness
Call the Broward County Call Center at 311 in Broward or 954-831-4000 for information on hurricane preparedness
Broward County officials are carefully monitoring Hurricane Matthew and will advise residents if any further actions should be taken. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is operating at a Level 2, which means emergency response personnel are beginning to staff the EOC in response to Hurricane Matthew and are taking necessary protective actions.