In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, the Broward County Commission and local elected officials are taking swift action to address the needs of communities devastated by the storm.
Beryl caused extensive damage in Jamaica, Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, resulting in at least 12 deaths and significant infrastructure loss before moving west into Mexico and Texas.
Jamaican-American District 9 County Commissioner Hazelle P. Rogers announced a special meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 10 AM at the Broward County Governmental Center, Room 422, located at 115 S. Andrews Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.
Organized by local Caribbean elected women, including Rogers, Miramar Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis, and State Representative Lisa Dunkley, the meeting will gather Broward County Mayor Nan Rich, Consuls General from across the Caribbean, community and business leaders, and other community members to discuss relief efforts and raise awareness about Beryl’s impacts.
“Hurricane Beryl has brought unimaginable destruction to our Caribbean neighbors, and it is our duty to respond with compassion and support,” said Commissioner Rogers. “As a proud daughter of Jamaica, I am committed to working with the Caribbean community to provide aid and assistance to those affected.”
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, and all those affected by Hurricane Beryl,” said Miramar Vice Mayor Davis. “We urge everyone in Broward County to join us in this effort and support our Caribbean neighbors in their time of need.”
County Administrator Monica Cepero is organizing a humanitarian aid campaign that will allow County employees to donate to relief efforts through payroll deduction. Details will be announced later this week.
“Broward County employees have a proud history of helping neighbors in need,” said Cepero, noting that many have family members and friends in the Caribbean who have been personally impacted by the tragedy. “Cash donations are usually best in these types of emergencies, so relief organizations can quickly purchase the right supplies and ensure services get to the people who need them most.”
Port Everglades waives fees for emergency supplies
Additionally, Broward County’s Port Everglades is waiving tariff charges for ocean shipping lines transporting emergency and humanitarian relief supplies and services on behalf of charitable or governmental organizations to impacted areas.
Under Port Everglades Tariff Item No. 950, tariff charges up to a cumulative total of $50,000 may be waived in such conditions. The waiver applies to containerized, bulk, and break-bulk cargoes that support humanitarian relief efforts where supplies, materials, labor, ocean shipping, and related assistance are donated on a voluntary basis or are resources provided by governmental or charitable agencies or organizations. Ocean shipping lines that carry humanitarian relief supplies at a discounted ocean shipping rate may be eligible for reduced tariff rates.
To qualify for a waiver, an ocean carrier must furnish a manifest and certified statement.
