Last year we were caught off guard by the wrath of Hurricane Wilma. Our community came to a dangerous standstill as millions lost power and thousands were forced out of their homes and into temporary shelters.

Yet we all know that as bad as Wilma was, we must be prepared for a storm that could be much worse.

Working on behalf of South Floridians, I recently held a hurricane preparedness symposium with federal, state, and local government officials as well as local business and community leaders. Through this open dialogue I sought to provide a forum where key disaster planning and response officials could sit down, face-to-face to discuss what they've learned and what they need.

Each household and business should devise a plan of action in preparation for this year's hurricane season. Issues such as where to go and how to evacuate should be made in advance.

To help you with your plan of action I have provided a list of important telephone numbers and a hurricane preparedness checklist to help you and your family plan and prepare for this year's hurricane season.

❑ Cash or travelers checks

❑ Fill up your car's gas tank

❑ Emergency contact phone numbers

❑ Fire extinguisher

❑ Clean containers to store drinking water: 1 gallon per person per day

❑ 3-day supply of food (canned and dried goods are best)

❑ Manual can opener

❑ Hand tools: hammer, nails, ax, knife, pliers, handsaw, screwdrivers

❑ Electric drill with screwdriver bits to install bolts for window protection

❑ Unscented household bleach to purify water, 8 drops per gallon of water

❑ Soap and plastic container

❑ At least one flashlight per person with spare batteries

❑ Spare batteries for other needs

❑ Battery-operated radio, with weather band

❑ First-aid kit: bandages, gauze, scissors, petroleum jelly, antiseptic spray, hydrogen peroxide, antacids, aspirin, thermometer, rubbing alcohol

❑ Extra prescription medicine

❑ Copies of important documents

❑ Matches (wooden ones are best)

❑ Disposable eating utensils and plates

❑ Hygiene and personal care items

❑ Mosquito repellent

❑ Whistle or air horn

❑ Disinfectant

❑ Gas grill or Sterno stove with extra fuel (Do not take gas grills indoors)

❑ Large trash bags

❑ Rope or heavy cord, 100 feet

❑ Tarpaulin, canvas or anything to make a temporary roof repair

For police, fire or medical assistance during an emergency, please dial 911.

For the most current weather information, visit the National Hurricane Center's

Web site at: www.nhc.noaa.gov

BROWARD COUNTY CONTACT INFO:

American Red Cross

(954) 763-9900

Broward County Hurricane Hotline

(954) 831-4000

Broward Emergency Management Agency

(954) 831-3900

SHELTER INFORMATION:

Broward County Animal Care and Regulation

(954) 359-1313

Special Medical Needs Registry-Broward

(954) 537-2888

www.broward.org/disaster

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CONTACT INFO:

American Red Cross

(305) 644-1200

Miami-Dade Animal Care and Control

(305) 884-1101

Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management

(305) 468-5400

SHELTER INFORMATION:

Miami-Dade Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program

(305) 468-5900

Special Medical Needs Registry Miami-Dade

(305) 513-7700

www.miamidade.gov/oem

I will continue to work to ensure that the federal government is prepared to handle any hurricanes that strike our community.  Your questions, thoughts, and concerns are important to me. Please do not hesitate to let me know of any problems or issues you consider significant.  Feel free to contact my offices in Broward at 954-437-3936, in Miami-Dade at 305-936-5724, or in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-7931.