Tropical Storm Ernesto Updated #2

Dear Residents of the City of Lauderhill:

The following is an update:

The Broward County Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor Tropical Storm Ernesto. In addition to schools closing tomorrow, all Broward County government offices will be closed. This includes all libraries, parks and other County facilities. In addition, the 17th Circuit Court has announced that the County courthouses will be closed tomorrow. FAU is closed tomorrow.

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority will suspend Tri-Rail service after the last train tonight, Monday, August 28. Mass Transit service will continue regular bus service tomorrow until 3:00 p.m. at which time all bus service will stop.

Mobile home residents are under a mandatory evacuation order. Buses will be available for mobile home park evacuations beginning approximately 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

Six Red Cross Shelters will open tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. as well as the pet-friendly shelter at Millennium Middle School. The Red Cross shelters are Monarch High School, 5050 Wiles Road, Coconut Creek; Park Lakes Elementary School, 3925 N. State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes; Rock Island Elementary/Arthur Ashe Middle School, 1701 N.W. 23 Ave., Fort Lauderdale; Plantation Elementary School, 651 N.W. 42 Ave., Plantation; Fox Trail Elementary School, 1250 Nob Hill Road, Davie; and Watkins Elementary School, 3520 S.W. 52 Ave., Pembroke Park.

According to Brenda Snipes, Supervisor of Elections, all 20 Broward County early voting sites will be closed tomorrow until further notice.

The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport will remain open as weather conditions permit. Please check with your airlines for flight schedules.

Residents should prepare now for Tropical Storm Ernesto by making all their final preparations. There is no shortage of fuel in Broward County, so residents should fill up their tanks and make sure they have their hurricane supplies for three to five days. Trash pickup will take place tomorrow as long as the weather permits.

Residents who own horses or other large animals are encouraged to make preparations early in anticipation of Tropical Storm Ernesto.

Tips on how to make hurricane preparations for large animals are available online from the Broward County Extension Education Division. Visit www.broward.org/extension/large_animal and click on Hurricane Tips for Large Animals.

The site provides information on proper identification for horses and other large animals, preparation for barns and pastures, correct ways to restrain horses and other large animals, and planning food, water and hay supplies in the event of a hurricane. Owners should plan on at least a five-day supply of food, water and medical supplies for their horses and other animals in the event of a storm.

The site also includes an online large animal registry. Owners can register their animals and include detailed information on physical traits to help them identify their animals if they become lost. The information is made available to veterinarians and other medical or emergency responders in the event animals become lost. To access the online animal registry, visit www.broward.org/extension/large_animal and click on New Account.


The Broward County Hurricane Hot Line is available for residents 954-831-4000. Residents can also find detailed information on hurricane preparedness at www.broward.org/hurricane.

From Lauderhill:

1) Our recommendation is to be prepared 5 to 7 days.

2) Lauderhill’s Emergency Operations Center is at Level 2 activation, (partial activation), anticipate full activation tomorrow.
3) The City Manager has activated its Hurricane Response Annex (Plan) and All City Departments are proceeding as required to prepare for the storm.
4) Garbage pick up is expected on Tuesday. Wednesday will be suspended. Do not put out any garbage after Tuesday.
5) At this time it is too late to trim trees since debris cannot be removed.
6) A hurricane warning may be issue by Monday evening. The forecast is that we will start receiving tropical winds by Tuesday evening. Hurricane force winds may occur Wednesday morning, with the height of the storm in late morning Wednesday.
7) The Commission Meeting schedule for tonight, Monday, will take place. However, it is expected to be a shortened meeting to only handle Consent Agenda and critical items requiring attention, within the Commissions discretion.
8) The Storm appears to be more of rain storm than previous wind storms. However, you can expect a mixture of both, and both must be prepared for. Rising waters could be a concern in lower lying areas.
9) Please make sure that outdoor drains and gutters are clear of debris. Please be careful while cleaning them to prevent possible injury.

For more information, please check with 1650 AM, Lauderhill’s radio station.

Very Truly Yours,

Richard J. Kaplan
Mayor, City of Lauderhill