BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Florida is observing Severe Weather Awareness Week, February 1-5, 2021. The Broward County Emergency Management Division  reminds all residents that severe weather can happen at any time. The focus of the week-long observance is to remind Floridians of the dangers of lightning, marine hazards and rip currents, thunderstorms and tornadoes, hurricane and flooding, and temperature extremes and wildfires. Florida is the lightning capital of North America, and rip currents kill more people in Florida in an average year than hurricanes.

In 2020, Broward was threatened by two tropical systems - Hurricane Isaias and Tropical Storm Eta, just two of the record number of storms recorded for 2021. Fortunately, those storms didn't cause catastrophic damage, but all it takes is one major storm for our area to be severely affected by flooding, storm surge, high winds, and loss of power.

Everyone needs to be prepared for severe weather year-round, not just during hurricane season. 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. Tracy Jackson, Director of Broward County Regional Emergency Services and Communications, said, "Severe Weather Awareness Week is an excellent opportunity to remind people of the need to be prepared for any weather-related threat that may impact a community. Preparedness for all hazards is a community-wide effort." Residents are encouraged to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for year-round emergency messaging.

For more information on Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week topics, visit FloridaDisaster.org and the National Weather Service in Miami. 

DATE: February 1, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT: Miguel Hidalgo
PHONE: 954-831-3903

EMAIL: mhidalgo@broward.org