As Tropical Storm Barry fizzled out after making landfall in Mexico early Monday, attention is quickly turning to a new weather system forming off Florida’s east coast that could strengthen into a tropical depression or storm later this week. With hurricane season entering its most active period, the American Red Cross South Florida Region is urging residents to prepare now.
“This is a critical moment for our community to take hurricane readiness seriously,” said a spokesperson from the Red Cross Public Affairs Desk. “Preparedness can save lives.”
The National Hurricane Center has not yet named the new disturbance, but reports indicate it has a high chance of development in the coming days. In light of this, the Red Cross is encouraging South Floridians to take proactive steps:
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Create an Emergency Plan: Families—pets included—should know where they’ll shelter during a storm and plan evacuation routes in advance.
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Stock Up on Supplies: Households should gather enough water, non-perishable food, medications, important documents, flashlights, batteries, and device chargers for both an evacuation go-kit and a shelter-in-place kit.
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Protect Your Property: Residents are advised to secure or bring inside outdoor furniture, trim overhanging branches, and board up windows if necessary.
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Stay Informed: The Red Cross recommends downloading its free Emergency app, subscribing to local emergency alerts, and closely monitoring the news for weather updates.
For more information, visit www.redcross.org or download the Red Cross Emergency app.
