Update #7 on Tropical Storm Fay

Dear Residents of Lauderhill,

As we approach the end of Tropical Storm Fay, we have some final information. This should be my last advisory unless conditions dictate otherwise. Normal services should be starting to come back starting tomorrow, and by the end of the week, everything should be back to normal. Keep following the city's web site for more information: http://www.lauderhill-fl.gov/.

To assist us in the future, I would appreciate if you would respond as to what methods of local Lauderhill communication you used, and if they were useful to you. We utilize the city's web site, e-mails from the Mayor's Emergency Contact System, other e-mails from Press Releases issued by the city, this Blog, 1650 AM (for which would be more utilized in times of power failures and more significant damage), and any other method I may have left out.

My interest is to determine the effectiveness of each method and where improvement could lie. Thank you.

Mayor Kaplan

FROM THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL

Luckily Fay's impact on us was far less than anticipated. We can expect improving conditions now except for some mild trailing end squalls.

The City Manager drove the city between 3 and 6 AM and did not see any flooding or signs of damage. However, there were sporadic and short power outages (no downed power lines). Our crews will be doing a full tour of the City later today to search for damage and problems.

We can expect tropical windforce gusts and rain bands throughout the day today, with most of the bad weather ending after 2 p.m.

FROM BROWARD COUNTY

It is important that you inspect your property for any storm damage as soon as it is safe to do so. For the purposes of reporting to FEMA, you should advise the County's Economic Development Office ntaylor@broward.org or dwilkinson@broward.org of any damage you may have had. That office will assist you in directing your damage reports to the appropriate local and federal officials. You will also need to make your damage claim to your insurance company.

We met with representatives from Florida Power and Light company this morning. There are approximately 5,200 customers without power in Broward County, mainly transformer issues. The expectation is that power would be restored by 2 p.m.

As of 7 a.m., Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport continues to operate smoothly after a long evening of heavy rain and high winds. We have an additional 3 cancelled flights this morning in addition to the 17 cancelled flights Monday evening. Passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines on the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Please be aware of standing water or flooded streets during the course of the day.

All bridges in Broward County will resume normal operations at 9:00 a.m. this morning. This includes bridges operated by Broward County and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Broward County remains under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Tornado Watch this morning. Early damage assessments indicate that Broward County has experienced very little damage. Residents are advised to continue to monitor weather conditions and only travel this morning if necessary.

Rapid Impact Assessment teams are currently working throughout Broward County to confirm that there are no major roadway problems or debris issues. No major flooding issues have been reported.

Residents are reminded that children should not be permitted to wade in standing water for health and safety reasons.

Mass Transit is operating on their normal bus schedule today. The number to call to check on bus schedules and routes is 954-357-8400. The telephone number for the hearing impaired is 954-357-8302.

The Arthur Ashe mass care shelter operated by Red Cross and the Special Medical Needs Shelter housed a total of 67 people. Plans are underway to return residents in shelters to their homes later this morning.

The Broward County Hotline 3-1-1 will remain operational throughout the day to assist residents.