We Were Spared...Are You Prepared? And Important Election Information

This past week we all mobilized in preparation for Hurricane Helene. By the grace of God, we were lucky to not have been drastically affected by the wind or rain but those in the panhandle and north were not so lucky. This hurricane became a monster that set a historic record. It grew to a category 4, killing eighty-four people and impacting the west coast of Florida, made landfall at the Big Bend area and went on to wreak havoc in Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia. The damage alone from this one storm is estimated to be up to twenty-six billion dollars.

I am urging all our residents to remain vigilant during the hurricane season. We have seen two massive rain events in the past year that have impacted properties city wide. Many owners are still recovering and shaken to the core that it may happen again. I am sure like me every time it rains, I pray we will be spared. So, my message is we all need to have our plan in place as hurricanes are unpredictable. As one Florida woman stated on the news, “it is the price we pay living in the tropics and along the coast.”  I was thinking about Atlanta, Tennessee, and North Carolina. We are all being impacted.

Two weeks ago, we held a training for storm preparedness. I talked with our expert about hosting another meeting on how to protect homes and properties from flooding this month. It is one thing to have a plan, it is another thing to prevent flood waters from coming into your home. Due to Helene, I am not certain if we will be able to host one as she works directly with FEMA.

I have spoken with residents that are looking into the many products that are now on the market to help protect homes and businesses. There are reusable flood barriers and flood gates. These are much better than sandbags as they are easier to put in place and then can be stored.

There are other items that can be used inside your home as well. Companies now are selling usable watertight bags for everything and every size. One company has a size that is for a full room of furniture. You lay it out, move your belongings on to the tarp-like surface and then seal it up.

There are also more extensive ways to address flooding. FEMA has a program where they will pay to elevate your home. The Severe Repetitive Loss SRL Grant provides that if your home has been impacted by flooding and has received flood claims twice. They also help with Dry Proofing homes. This means placing special veneers on the structures, installing backflow meters to prevent sewer backups.

Once I hear when our expert will be available, I will be hosting a Town Hall so we can work together to help our community become more resilient. Meanwhile our prayers go out to all the families that have lost their loved ones.

Are you registered to vote? If you are not there is still time. The deadline to register to vote is on October 7th. The supervisor of election will close the book. You can register online at BrowardVotes.gov or you can call 954-357 -VOTE (8683).

If you want to vote by mail, you must request your ballot no later than October 21st by 5 pm. You can also do this by calling 954-357-7055 or email VoteByMailRequest@BrowradVotes.gov. You should mail your ballot right away. They will not be counted after 7 PM on November 5th even if postmarked before. You can always drop off your ballot at any Broward early voting site. Please make sure you sign the envelope.

Early voting begins October 21st and goes through November 3rd from 7 am to 7 pm. Our early voting is at our Cultural Center behind the library Federal Highway and SE 3rd Street. There are other sites where you can vote early but it must be a Broward location. These can be found at www.BrowardVotes.gov

Voting on Election Day will be at your polling location which is listed on your voter card. There are three locations in Hallandale Beach. The Towers of Oceanview on Parkview Drive in the Three Islands neighborhood, The Community Cultural Center behind the library is on SE 3rd Street and Federal Highway and Foster Park is located on 608 Foster Road right off NW 8th and Pembroke Road.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our city a better place at phone/text 954-632-5700 or you can email me at jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at Mayor Joy Cooper. Like, follow, and share.