The City of Deerfield Beach is urging residents to start hurricane preparations well before any storm threatens South Florida. City officials say early planning and clear communication can keep families from scrambling when a watch or warning is issued.
The city recommends that households keep enough water, non-perishable food and necessary medications to last everyone, including pets, for up to seven days. Residents are encouraged to add a few items to regular grocery trips rather than waiting for store shelves to empty during a storm watch.
Officials also suggested homeowners walk their property now. That means securing loose outdoor items, inspecting window shutters and clearing gutters. Residents should confirm their evacuation zone and talk with family about where they would go if an evacuation order is issued.
The city asked residents to rely only on official municipal, county and National Weather Service updates, since misinformation can spread quickly during severe weather. For real-time notices on storms, road conditions and city responses, the city promotes ALERTDFB, a free service that sends alerts by phone or email. Residents can find a step-by-step preparation guide on the city’s disaster preparedness webpage.
