305-468-5900 Answer Line or dial 3-1-1 in Miami-Dade County 
Prepare Before a Storm Threatens
June 1st officially begins the hurricane season, which lasts until November 30. Unfortunately, few people take hurricane preparation seriously until weather forecasters predict a storm to hit our coastline. It is this 24 to 48 hour period before the storm is to make landfall, that residents rush off to buy the supplies that they should already have. The time to prepare is NOW.
Plan for evacuation ahead of time. Use checklists and valuable information on shelters and routes can increase your safety during hurricane season.
Category 2+ Storm = Evacuation
Virtually all of the City of Aventura lies within Evacuation Zone B for a category 2 storm or higher. This means that everyone should plan on leaving the City well before the storm arrives. If you wait too long to make a decision to leave, it may be too late as heavy traffic, flooded streets, and stalled cars may make it impossible to go very far.
High Winds and Hi-Rises
Hurricane force winds are dangerous. The high winds can cause considerable damage from the pressure they put on windows and buildings, as well as damage caused by unsecured items and debris which become projectiles capable of causing death, great bodily injury, or serious damage to property. New technology has proven that winds are stronger as you go higher, which should be of concern to the many hi-rise condominium dwellers living in the City.
Storm surge is also a major concern, and has been responsible for more hurricane related deaths than the wind. The storm surge is a large dome of water that sweeps across the coastline near where the hurricane makes landfall. It can be up to a hundred miles wide, and cause coastal waters to rise as much as 18 feet or more, depending on the size and make-up of the storm. If it occurs at high tide, the water level can be even higher. The wave action can batter a building and cause substantial damage. While the barrier island on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway offers some protection, the Aventura area could be seriously affected by the high waters.
The City of Aventura and the Aventura Police Department encourage you to make your plans now. For more information, call the Aventura Police Department at 305-466-8986.
