July 25, 2019
Top 10 Tips
1) Don’t wait until the
last minute! Get a kit, have
a plan, stay informed. Hurri-
canes can form quickly and
strike in a matter of hours.
Have your arrangements
done before a hurricane
ever forms. Hurricane kit
checklists are widely avail-
able. Make sure you have
access to shutters.
2) Ask for help. Family,
friend and neighbors don’t
want you to be unprepared,
so ask them for help getting
supplies, installing shutters,
picking up a supply of medi-
cation, or for transportation
during an evacuation. Make
arrangements now.
3) Do not stay in your
home if you are ordered
to evacuate. Go to a shel-
ter. Do not leave your pet
behind. Shelters that allow
pets require reservations in
advance, so call your shelter
today to hold a space. Most
hotels and motels now allow
pets, but you may be asked
for pet fee of maybe $20 or
a deposit possibly of $100,
Converting a Mobile
Generator to LP Gas
Having a generator for
back-up power is great –
unless you don’t have the
fuel to run the generator.
The irony of the portable
back-up generator – most
of them, at least – is that
they run on gas. And what’s
the item that’s usually hard
to get during a hurricane?
Gas! There’s the money
issue, too. The price of gas
has dropped but can still add
up, the typical portable gen-
erator has a 5 gallon tank,
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usually refunded on checkout,
or more.
4) Plan for a two-week
period. Most agencies say
three days, but a storm can
cut off power, water and other
services for two to four weeks.
Do more preparation than you
think is necessary.
5) Have a communications
plan and a meeting point.
How will you reach friends
and family if communications
are down? Where will you
meet if you have to leave your
home unexpectedly?
6) Plan to stay informed.
How will you get news when
power, cable and cell phones
are all off? Old TVs do not
work with the new digital
broadcast system, so you will
need a digital antenna.  Make
sure you have a radio and bat-
teries. Deerfield residents sign
up for AlertDFB (www.DFB.
city/AlertDFB).
7) Have current identifica-
tion for you and your pets.
At RoadID.com, you can or-
der a laser-engraved tag with
your name, address, phone
which will run the unit for
about 10 hours or so under a
full electric load. At $2.76 per
gallon – current prices – that’s
about $27.60 a day to run the
generator. If you have to run
it for two weeks, you’ll be
spending almost $400 to keep
the lights on – and the food in
your ‘fridge from spoiling.
Propane – and CNG – are not
only cheaper on a per-gallon
equivalent basis, they’re not
as subject to sudden price in-
creases because there are vast
These can be attached to
a wristband, shoelaces,
lanyard or a pet’s collar.
8) Never run genera-
tors inside the house or
garage! Generators give
off odorless gases that will
kill you. Only run gen-
erators outdoors in open,
well-ventilated areas away
from windows and doors.
Don’t use gas grills in the
house either. They give
off the same gas and are
not properly vented like a
built-in gas stove.
9) Do not underesti-
mate a storm. Remember
Hurricane Irma and the
destruction it caused to our
beach, trees and homes? Be
prepared!
10) Keep copies of all
your important papers in
waterproof bags. A water-
proof bag should include
copies of your ID, medical
papers, contact list, pet ID
and vaccination papers and
anything else too valuable
to lose.
reserves of the stuff right
here in the U.S.A. Plus, you
can stock up now – at current
(low) prices – and not sweat
future (inflation driven)
price spikes as much. And
there’s no worry about the
fuel going bad in three or
four months’ time.
Type C Conversion kit from
U.S. carburetion. Converting
to LP doesn’t mean it still
won’t run on gasoline.
Hurricane Update 2019
2019 Hurricane Names
* Andrea Erin
* Barry Fernand
Chantal Gabrielle
Dorian Humberto
Mobile Home Hurricane Prep
Dadeland Mobile Home Park after Hurricane Andrew.
By Karen Newcombe
Mobile homes are a popu-
lar option for home owner-
ship in South Florida but
special steps are needed to
prepare them for hurricane
season. Even a tropical
storm or bad thunderstorm
can break up or flip a mobile
home, so storm preparation
is never wasted. Mobile
home residents, especially
those new to South Florida,
must always evacuate the
mobile home in every hur-
ricane. No mobile home
provides enough structure
or safety to protect your life,
so it’s important to have an
evacuation plan in place.
Will you stay with family
or friends, go to a shelter or
Power Up With
a Home Generator!
By Franki Klemyk
Making the decision
to buy a home generator
doesn’t need to be a di-
lemma, especially if you
are a single woman who is
not electronically inclined
(like myself). Not to worry.
There is so much help out
there; all you need do is
to ask the right questions.
The most important
question to ask is how
many appliances would
you like to power up.
You can buy a 3600
watt generator with four
plug-in outlets for about
$400. This will generate
a refrigerator (700 watts),
a TV (300 watts) and two
lights (220 watts) plus add
in the power surge, which
is the watt needed when the
generator is started. (The
power surge only lasts a
few seconds.)
If you need more power,
you can buy a mid-sized
generator. Home Depot
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Imelda Melissa Rebekah Van
Jerry Nestor Sebastien Wendy
Karen Olga Tanya
Lorenzo Pablo
stay in a hotel? If you haven’t
updated your plan recently or
if you’re new to Florida, now
is the time to plan.
The State of Florida re-
quires that all mobile homes
be tied down, but the require-
ments vary for each mobile
home. You will need to obtain
the exact types and spacing of
piers, anchors and tie downs
for your mobile home from the
manufacturer. There are many
services to help you install tie
downs, and they can also help
inspect your supports, anchors
and strap system. Florida’s
weather is tough on building
materials, so inspecting and
repairing your tie downs and
anchors every year is a must!
If you see rust or cracks, or
estimates that, in a typical
home, essential items will
average 5000 - 7500 watts of
power to run. A good choice
would be a 7000 watts gen-
erator, which will do all that
plus a window A/C (1200
watts) and a microwave (625
watts). If you want your cen-
tral air-conditioning system
to run, this generator can be
connected to your electrical
circuit box with the aid of an
electrician, but be advised that
doing that will use up a lot of
gasoline quickly. If you are go-
ing to Home Depot, ask them
for their Wattage Worksheet to
better estimate the watts you
would be using.
Dan at Home Depot said, “A
portable generator with 7000
watts and an electric starter,
gasoline powered with a 9
gallon tank has approximately
15 hours of running time and
is priced as low as $999.”
You will need a few exten-
sion cords, which are 50 and
100 ft. length, to connect the
7
if the piers supporting the
mobile home have shifted,
repairs must be made before
a storm.
Hurricane shutters are
available for mobile homes
and should be installed
before the storm arrives.
All windows should be cov-
ered; tape will not protect
windows from shattering.
Newer residents who may
be boarding up and evacuat-
ing for the first time should
do a dry run now for prac-
tice. Putting up sheets of
plywood in a 35 mph wind
is neither easy nor safe, so
try it out now and make sure
you have all the necessary
supplies. Inspect your walls,
roof and utility connections
for any weaknesses, and
make repairs now.
Even an afternoon storm
in South Florida can gener-
ate winds or tornadoes that
can flip or damage a mobile
home, so it’s a great idea
to inspect and repair every
year. Don’t wait for a storm
to arrive — both supplies
and contractors will be in
high demand and short
supply!
Remember to stay in-
formed, have a plan, inspect
and repair in advance, and
always evacuate from your
mobile home during a hur-
ricane.
generator from the outside
to your appliances inside.
It is convenient to have
three 5 gallon tanks of gas
on-hand, which should last
approximately four days.
(It is understood that you
don’t use a generator 24
hours a day and only when
you are home.)
Dan added, “Above all,
make sure you secure your
generator outside with a
heavy-duty chain that can’t
be cut with a bolt cutter and
never turn on a generator
inside your garage. Using a
generator inside the house
can kill you in minutes.”
There are so many
choices of generators,
depending on how much
power you will need and
personal preferences. For
more information, shop
around. Don’t take my
word for it. Be an informed
consumer. Check it out on
the Internet. Getting your
generator set up doesn’t
need to be a problem for
the less handy of us. There
are experts out there that
will do it for you.
8 THE OBSERVER
No Can Opener?
No Problem
Most people, at one time
or another, found them-
selves with the dilemma
of not having a can opener
when they needed one. The
one you bought for your
hurricane box... someone
needed it before the hur-
ricane and now it’s gone.
So here is what you do.
Take the can and rub it
round and round on con-
crete. The actual weld on a
can at the top is soft. When
you rub it on concrete it
Generator-Ready Businesses
Deerfield Beach
Home Depot
60 SW 12 Ave.
Publix
3740 W. Hillsboro Blvd.
1337 S. Military Trl.
150 S. Federal Hwy.
Target
3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd.
1200 S. Federal Hwy.
Water Damage Control Tips:
by Denny Perreault Carpet Cleaning Services
What to do:
• Damage from water
and bacteria growth can
begin within hours. Call for
professional help.
• Remove as much water
as possible by mopping and
blotting.
• Remove wet area rugs
or other floor coverings
not permanently attached.
Do not attempt to start re-
moving your wall-to-wall
carpet.
• Lift draperies off the
floor, loop through a coat
hanger and place the hanger
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HURRICANE UPDATE 2019
will separate. You may need
to rub it 20 times, but it will
eventually separate. Then you
squeeze the can with your
Lighthouse Point
Publix
2450 N. Federal Hwy.
3700 N. Federal Hwy.
Pompano Beach
Costco
1800 W. Sample Rd.
Info. from www.broward.org. Last updated 2018.
on the drapery rod.
• Wipe furniture, prop up
wet furniture, prop up wet
furniture cushions for even
drying and place aluminum
foil under furniture legs.
• Move photos, paintings
and art objects to a safe, dry
location.
• Do not remove books from
shelves. Rather pack them
tightly to prevent warping
of pages until a restoration
professional can begin this
specialized drying.
• Open drawers, closet and
cabinet doors to enhance
thumb and index finger
one inch down from the
top and the lid will pop off.
MacGyver would be proud!
Home Depot
1151 NW Copans Rd.
Lowe’s
1851 N. Federal Hwy.
Publix
1405 S. Federal Hwy.
411 S. Cypress Rd.
1140 SW 36 Ave.
2511 E. Atlantic Blvd.
drying.
What NOT to do:
• Do not enter a room with
standing water until elec-
tricity has been turned off.
• Do not use a regular
household vacuum to re-
move water.
• Do not lift tacked-down
carpet without professional
help.
• Do not use electrical
appliances while on wet
carpet or flooring.
• Do not disturb visible
mold.
Evacuation Shelter Information
What You Need to Know
(Information found
on www.broward.org)
What to Bring to a Shelter:
• Identification
• Compact bedding such as
pillows, blankets, air mat-
tress
• Games, reading materials,
cell phone and mobile de-
vice with charger, batteries,
etc.
• Non-perishable snacks
(including special dietary
foods)
• Extra change of clothing
• Sanitary wipes or other
hygiene products
• Flashlight
• Medications
• Emergency health infor-
mation card & emergency
contacts
• Battery-operated radio
• Water
• Supplies for children, el-
derly and disabled family
members, (games, baby
formula, diapers, walker,
wheelchair, hearing de-
vice, etc.) if applicable
• Important documents such
as birth and/or marriage
certificates, social security
cards, passports, immuni-
Need Information?
Know Who to Contact When There is a Storm
Deerfield Beach
• Updates and Answers
Sign up to get updates at
www.DFB.city/AlertDFB.
• City Hall
954-480-4200
• BSO (non-emergency)
954-480-4300
For dispatch:
954-765-4321 x5
Lighthouse Point
• Updates and Answers
Go on Nixle.com to sign up
to receive updates.
Broward Sheriff ’s Office - 24 Hr. Deputy: 954-764-4357
zations records, wills, vehi-
cle titles, insurance policies,
stocks, bonds, important
electronics files
• Service animals if they meet
the requirements under Fed-
eral law
Provisions at the shelter
are very limited and cots may
not be provided! Remember,
staying with family or friends
outside an evacuation zone is
always the best option.
Pet Shelters
The county has identified
three locations that can serve as
Pet-Friendly Shelters during a
state of emergency:
1. Lyons Creek Middle School
in Coconut Creek
2. Everglades High School in
Miramar
3. Falcon Cove Middle School
in Weston
Pets accepted include dogs,
cats, domestic birds, rabbits,
gerbils, guinea pigs, mice and
hamsters. All pets must be in a
carrier/crate and all dogs must
have a collar with leash.
Evacuees must show proof of
rabies certificate for dogs and
cats. Broward County residents
• City Hall
954-943-6500
• Fire (non-emergency)
954-941-2624
• Police (non-emergency)
954-942-8080
Hillsboro Beach
• Updates and Answers
Go on Nixle.com to sign up
to receive updates.
• City Hall
954-427-4011
• Police (non-emergency)
954-427-6600
JULY 25, 2019
should also be prepared to
show their pet’s Broward
County Registration Tag.
Transportation to Shelters
When an evacuation is
ordered, Broward County
Transit buses cease regularly
scheduled service and begin
emergency evacuation ser-
vice from evacuation zones.
The service coincides with the
opening of shelters and will
not begin before the shelters
open. Under Evacuation Plan
A, you can go to any regular
bus stop along A1A. Under
Evacuation Plan B, buses will
run routes along both A1A
and Federal Highway.
Persons with disabilities:
If you need transportation to
your assigned location, you
are encouraged to make ar-
rangements in advance as part
of the Special Needs shelter
application process. Trans-
portation is coordinated by
Broward County Paratransit
or the Office of Medical Ex-
aminer and Trauma Services,
depending on your level of
need.
Pompano Beach
• Code Red
http://pompanobeachfl.gov/
pages/code_red/code
• City Administration
954-786-4600
• BSO Pompano Beach/
Dist. 11 (non emergency)
954-786-4201
 July 25, 2019 Hurricane Update 2019 The Observer 9

Preparing Your Boat for Hurricanes

Set up your plan
now
• Move your boat out of
the area.
• Take the boat to a safe
harbor.
• Remove trailerable boats
from the water to a storage
area if possible. Make a prac-
tice run. Preparing a boat can
be a big, time consuming
effort, but you may not know
how long it really takes until
you practice. This will help
you check that your vehicle
and trailer are in shape to
handle the boat, or if routes
to storage or safe harbor may
be blocked when a storm is
coming.
Remember, drawbridges
are set on lockdown once
evacuations are declared or
the storm draws near.
Items for your plan
Your plan should cover
all steps needed to secure Boats in
your boat: Dry Storage
• Move the boat to the stor- Concerns for boats in dry larger vessels.
age location. storage include how secure
• Secure or remove all sails the building is and how high
and rigging. a storm surge may rise. The
• Seal openings with duct tape. problem is if you don’t have
• Remove valuables and a reservation, it is probably
equipment from the vessel. too late. The safest storage is
• Tie down all parts that cannot a building rated to withstand
be removed. a Category 4 hurricane.
• Turn off the electrical sys-
tem. You may want to remove
Boats in Wet Berths
• Double all lines on the boat.
the battery from the board to
Use lines of a larger size than
reduce the risk of fire.
normal lines.
• Copy all your boat’s docu-
• Set and secure lines high
ments and keep them with
on the pilings to allow for
you in a Ziploc bag or water
rising water.
proof box in case your home
• Tape or cover lines to pre-
is evacuated. This should
vent chafing and breakage.
include boat registration,
• Set fenders to protect the
identifying photos, insurance
boat from collision damage.
policy, phone numbers of
• Shut off all electrical items
contacts you may need.
except bilge pump. Check
• Take photos or a video of
that battery capacity can run
your boat before the hurricane
bilge pumps for the storm’s
for insurance purposes.
duration.
• Make a list of all items that
must be left on board.
• Do not tie boats together!
Large boats will crush
smaller ones. Debris from
small boats will damage

in a can or jar and add it to

Best Foods to Have
During a Hurricane
1. Bottled water
Buy at least one gallon of
water per person for at least
three days. (Two weeks’
worth is ideal.)
2. Canned foods
Tuna, chicken, vegeta-
bles and fruits have a great
shelf life. Items like beans
are a good staple too. Stock
up on them now.
3. Peanut Butter
Get your protein in with
some easy-to-eat peanut
butter. Jelly might last for
awhile if you want to make
a sandwich; otherwise, opt
for honey, which essentially
lasts forever.
4. Cereal, granola bars
or crackers
You may end up eating
cereal dry, but it makes
a good snack. Mix it up
with some nuts and you
have your own trail mix!
Granola, protein bars or
crackers are always a sat-
isfying snack or quick meal.
Get some canned cheese for
your crackers.
5. Fruit
There are many fruits that
will last for a few days to
a week, like apples, citrus
fruits, tomatoes, avocados,
cucumbers, squash, zucchini.
Make sure to pick ones that are
not too ripe and get them right
before a hurricane comes.
6. Packages sausages or
jerky
Beef or turkey jerky also
makes a great snack, or pep-
peroni or salami.
7. Baby food & formula
Moms and dads, make sure
your baby has everything he or
she needs to make it through
the storm.
8. Pasta or packaged
potatoes
If you have a stove, it is
easy to whip up a pasta meal
(or some packaged potatoes).
Grab some marinara sauce
the pasta. You can also get
instant soups with noodles,
which last a long time as
well. If you don’t have a
stove, you can always eat
it cold.
9. Soy, almond milk or
powdered milk
You can buy this type of
non-dairy milk or powdered
milk and keep it unrefriger-
ated until the time comes
when you need it during
the storm.
10. Instant coffee, tea
or soda
If you really need a caf-
feine boost, you can stir
up some instant coffee, or
make some tea. It may not
be warm if you don’t have
power, but it can do the
trick! Your soda can be kept
in a cooler.
11. Bread
Don’t forget bread to
make sandwiches or just
snack on.
Making food ahead of
time and keeping it in a
cooler is also a great option!
Shelters in our area
4) Monarch High School 5050 Wiles Rd., Coconut Creek, FL 33073
7) Lyons Creek Middle School - Pet Friendly 4333 Sol Press Blvd., Coconut Creek, FL 33073
20) Tradewinds Elementary School 5400 Johnson Rd., Coconut Creek, FL 33073
29) Pompano Beach High School 600 NE 13 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33060
(Numbers based on the county map).
Vulnerable Population Registry
If you have a disability, services or placed on a prior- has medical needs, you may
frailty or health issue, ity list for responders, it will want to consider registering
regardless of age, and help responders be better at the Special Needs shelter.
you decide to stay home prepared to meet your needs For more info., visit www.
during a hurricane, make in a recovery. broward.org/AtRisk/Pages/
sure to get registered on If you live in an evacua- SpecialNeeds.aspx.
the Vulnerable Population tion zone and evacuation is Register now to be on the
Registry ahead of time, so ordered, you should evacu- Vulnerable Population Reg-
someone can know you are ate. You can stay with family istry, before an emergency
in your home. Remember, and friends who are not in occurs. Register online at
staying in your home may the zone, or head to a shel- https://webapps4.broward.
mean power outages. Your ter. Here is a list of county org/VulnerableRegistry/
elevators might not work shelters: www.broward.org/ Welcome.aspx, by calling
and outdoor stairs might Hurricane/Pages/Hurrica- the Broward County Call
be unsafe. You also won’t neEvacuationMap.aspx. See Center at 311 or 954-831-
have power for oxygen. above for shelters close to 4000 (TTY 954-831-3890),
While registering in the here. or by contacting your
database is not a guarantee If you are a person who municipality’s emergency
that you will be provided normally needs assistance or management agency.

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10 The Observer Hurricane Update 2019 July 25, 2019

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