South Dade NAACP Hosts Hurricane Preparedness Webinar

Entering the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, all eyes are on the skies wondering what's next: the South Dade NAACP hopes to help with their recent Hurricane Preparedness Statewide Town Hall. Held on June 1st, the 11am virtual event was the first one to include attendees from the entirety of Florida, as the previous yearly ones were specific to South Dade.

Hosted by Pamela Brown Eyo, NAACP Florida State Conference (FSC) Environmental and Climate Justice Chair (ECJ), Eyo explained the public importance of the webinar. “We want the community to understand the seriousness and the necessity of preparing your family for the 2024 Hurricane Season,” said Eyo. “Take action now to ensure your safety. Purchase supplies to shelter in place and have your money ready to evacuate if we need to go.”

Senior Meterologist and Lead Forecaster for NOAA, Robert Garcia, also spoke about the current details of the 2024 hurricane season, and that while there is an 85% above normal season probability of storms, the chances of them hitting locally are unknown and may not occur often. “It doesn't mean more landfall, but more strong storms,” Garcia said. Dr. Debra Wrentz-Hudson – West Coast University School of Medicine adjunct professor and South Dade NAACP member – then talked about the importance of hurricane safety and preparedness.

“Be prepared, have a plan, make sure you have everything you need, don't wait to the last minute,” said Wrentz-Hudson, “take these things seriously.” Wrentz-Hudson talked about how to properly get ready before, during, and after a hurricane: such as how to gather supplies and medications, evacuate safely, and how to use generators correctly. “Be prepared for anything, it may be a busy season,” Wrentz-Hudson said.

Ryan Locke from the Red Cross discussed emergency shelters and what to bring to them, where to go, and what to do after a hurricane; in addition to the two things shelters ask of all those staying in them. “Be respectful and work your recovery plan," said Locke. He also busted some myths about pets not being welcome at shelters (false, they are, “we always have one bird”, he chuckled), and that all shelters are managed by the Red Cross (also false, “so check with local county emergency management to confirm,” he said).

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainer and South Dade NAACP member Elisha Moultrie then noted how the CERT program certifies members in everything from disaster preparedness, fire and safety suppression, and even light search and rescue; all with the goal of being, many times, the first points of neighborhood help. “Be the help, before the help arrives,” Moultrie said.

Fellow CERT member, Dr. Willie McElroy reiterated the impact of CERT. “Many times when they are active, on the job,” said McElroy, “they can be the source of survival for many people.” The final speaker, Dr. Cheryl L. Holder – Co-Chair of Miami-Dade Heat Health Task Force and Executive Director of Florida Clinicians for Climate Action – closed with how the hotter days and nights increase health issues such as high blood pressure, numbness, kidney problems, asthma, allergies, and even pregnancy risks; despite what her patients and others may believe.

“As a doctor, I have to deal with the symptoms,” Holder said, “and you may not want to claim this.” Additionally, Holder said mental health issues like anger, as well as the elevated carbon dioxide levels/greenhouse gasses can be disastrous for the most sensitive of groups. “Older people, children, people with diseases, said Holder, “these are the folk we have to get together as a community to protect.” NAACP FSC President, Dr. Adora Obi Nweze, stated the timeliness and necessity of the virtual event. “Hurricane season is always stressful. We need to prepare our children, senior adults, and ourselves to be mentally strong and physically safe,” said Nweze. “Preparation is key to reducing stress during hurricane season. We hosted this statewide Hurricane Townhall webinar so that everyone could receive the information to help them become hurricane-ready.”

For more information, visit southdadenaacp.org/causes/climate-justice, nhc.noaa.gov, Redcross.org, and floridaclinicians.org.