Prepare Your Home

Things to Remember

Follow these helpful tips

Have a Plan

Shelter or evacuate? Determine whether you will shelter-in at your home or evacuate

Sand Bag Program

The North Miami Public Works Department offers free sand bags to North Miami home owners (proof of residency required) once a hurricane watch is issue in our area. Five sand bags per home may be picked up from the North Miami Motor Pool, 1855 NE 142 Street.

Trash Pickup

Regularly scheduled sanitation services will continue (garbage, bulk and recycling pick up service) until winds reach 35 miles per hour. Do not place your garbage out for collection unless it is your regular day of service. No special pick-ups will be scheduled prior to a storm. 

Do not begin any tree pruning or household clean-up activities at this time. Secure all loose items in your yard by bringing them indoors or tightly securing them to the ground. It is also possible that regular sanitation service will not resume immediately following the storm, in the event that crews are needed to first clear the streets of debris for emergency vehicles.

Trim Trees

Do not prune or trim trees during a thunder storm or hurricane watch or warning. It’s best to prune trees prior to hurricane season or while the weather is calm. Find more information on properly pruning trees in preparation for a storm (PDF). 

To request tree service for city swales and rights-of-way, you can:

Power Outage Plan

Although most properties may weather a storm, most homes will suffer power loss. Depending on the type of damage to the electric grid, the loss of power can last anywhere from a few seconds to weeks on end. Several daily conveniences may be disrupted, but there are some precautionary steps we can take to minimize the inconveniences.

Here are ways to extend the life of electric-powered dependent items:

  • A battery powered radio is a must to monitor local news and emergency developments.
  • A half empty freezer thaws out much faster when the power is out. Help your freezer stay cool by filling empty spaces with containers of water to freeze as big blocks of ice. Remember to keep freezers and refrigerators closed to maintain temperature as long as possible or transfer items into a cooler.
  • Have a back-up method of heating food and water such as a camping stove. Cook perishable foods before the storm and have canned food items on hand for extended days without power.
  • Have a camping "lantern" available as these will light a room better than a flashlight.
  • Invest in a powerful portable power outlet or a portable power generator. A few basic necessities can be plugged into these such as lights, fans, laptops, cell-phones and radios.
  • Lastly, have board games, books, and toys on hand to help pass the time.
  • Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any critical life-saving medications.
  • Watch the FEMA video for additional tips on how to prepare your home for power outages.