HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 177-2016 Preparations for Hurricane MatthewBAL HARBOUR
V I L L A G E -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 177-2016
To: Mayor Martin Packer and Members of the Village Counci
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager
Date: October 5, 2016
Subject: Preparations for Hurricane Matthew
This Letter to Council (LTC) is to advise you of the preparations that the Village administration
has made in anticipation of Hurricane Matthew.
This system has become the first major hurricane to threaten South Florida (Category 3 on
the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale) since the start of the current hurricane season. As
of the latest NOAA advisory at 2 PM EDT today, NOAA research planes have spotted
Hurricane Matthew at about 400 miles southeast of Bal Harbour with maximum sustained
winds of 120 mph and with the possibility of strengthening over the next 48 hours. The
hurricane is expected to continue tracking north-northwest, reaching Florida's Atlantic
shoreline tomorrow. Although Matthew's full hurricane force is not anticipated to impact the
Village directly, Bal Harbour remains under a tropical storm warning (winds expected in
excess of 39 mph) with conditions expected to begin deteriorating Thursday morning and
lasting until Matthew completes its pass late tomorrow evening.
As outlined in the Village's Critical Incident Operations Plan, the administration has instituted
the following actions in preparation for the storm:
• Village Hall will be closed at 2:30 PM, Wednesday with anticipation to re -open Friday,
October 7 at regular hours.
Essential personnel, namely Police and Public Works will remain on shift for debris
clearance and critical emergencies.
• Construction work in the Village has ceased as of 3 PM, Wednesday.
Should you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to contact
me.
JMG