HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 088-2023 - Hurricane Preparedness 6.2.23BAL HARBOUR
V I L L A G E -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 088-2023
To: Mayor Jeffrey P. Freimark and Members of the Village Council L
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager a
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Date: June 2, 2023
Subject: 2023 Hurricane Season —Village Critical Incident Operational Plan (CIOP)
The purpose of this Letter to the Council (LTC) is to inform you of Bal Harbour Village's
critical incident management and severe weather response efforts.
The Bal Harbour Village Administration has been preparing for the 2023 Hurricane
Season, which begins June 1 and ends November 30. As the Village Manager, the
direction of emergency management is crucial to my role in facilitating public safety
response to residents and visitors.
The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season is forecast by researchers at the National
Hurricane Center to be below average after a costly and deadly 2022 season. Based
on information collected through March 2023 and developed over decades of data,
meteorologists who specialize in tracking and predicting hurricanes project 13
named storms, 6 hurricanes, with 2 of them major (reaching category 3, 4 and 5) with
winds greater than 1 1 1 miles per hour.
This lower -than -average hurricane season forecast for 2023 is attributed to the
influence and dynamic effect of an El Nino year. An El Nino year refers to the above -
average sea -surface temperatures that periodically develop across the east -central
equatorial Pacific Ocean. El Nino weather patterns tend to increase upper -level winds
resulting in vertical wind shear which can tear apart hurricanes as they begin to
develop.
In addition to our on -going review and revision of the Village's Critical Incident
Operations Plan (CIOP), Department Directors have implemented the following
initiatives:
• Bal Harbour Police Department staff continue to liaison with Miami -Dade
County Emergency Operations Center (MDCEOC) representatives, as well as
the Division EOC housed at the North Miami Police Department. The
MDCEOC is the primary resource coordinating support entity for
emergencies in Miami -Dade County. In addition to our close working
relationship with Miami -Dade County, there are on -going coordination,
planning and logistical support meetings with adjoining coastal police
agencies chiefs of police. To further our response capability, the Village
Administration encourages employees to take National Incident
Management System on-line Incident Command System courses and
participate in a Table -Top Hurricane Exercise providing realistic challenges
to simulate an effective public safety response.
• Building Department staff have established a procedure to facilitate
contractor's capability to secure construction sites in preparation for
hurricane conditions and landfall. Beginning on June 1, 2023, once a
contractor applies for a permit, they are given instructions to follow in case
of a storm. If a hurricane is tracking towards South Florida, Building
Department staff will check all open construction sites to ensure all
construction items are secure. Should a storm strike the Village, the Building
Department team will assess property damage. In addition, the Building
Department staff has contacted all condominium managers and concerned
personnel ensuring that all the buildings meet re -certification standards,
leading to a safer structure.
• Recreation, Arts & Culture Department (RACD) personnel will be taking the
following steps to prepare the community for hurricane season. Staff will
send digital and print communications (through email, text, and a quarterly
newsletter) to educate residents about important tips for hurricane
preparedness and resources, as well as encouraging residents to register for
our Bal Harbour Alerts via the wireless emergency notification system (
WENS). In addition, staff will coordinate in -person meetings with property
managers of hotels and condos throughout the village, to review lessons
learned, best practices, and hurricane recommendations. During the
approach of any potential threat, the department is prepared to disseminate
vital information through email and text to residents and property managers.
We are also prepared to assist logistics with personnel for post -storm efforts.
• The Public Works and Beautification Department (PWBD) continues to work
a strategic planning initiative to facilitate a utility assessment of all executable
functionality encompassing the following:
o Fuel reserves and distribution;
o Village staff support needs;
o Fleet management;
o Generator readiness status;
o Pump Station readiness status;
o Lift Station readiness status;
o Heavy Equipment rental;
o Village retained contractor support services;
o Loose debris removal management; and
o Critical Services Support Management (i.e., Solid Waste, Stormwater,
Wastewater, Domestic Water, Power and Communications.
The Bal Harbour Operations Facility in North Miami has been established as a
functional Emergency Operations Center pursuant to the necessity and regulatory
requirements. This facility also serves as the post storm rally point for Village staff in
the event Village Hall is not available.
In furtherance of the Administration's critical incident and disaster preparation for
severe weather events, key staff members will continue to monitor the National
Weather Service and National Hurricane Center forecasts.
We are committed to providing effective public safetyto Village residents, business owners
and visitors during the response to hurricanes, and other disasters. If you have any
questions about our CIOP, please feel free to contact me or Chief Flowers at 305-866-5000.
JMG/RF/ME/DM