Hurricane Matthew info links of interest to El Portal residents


Revised Sat 10/8 6:45 pm
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The worst of Matthew passed us by in El Portal. However, people in southwestern Haiti, the Bahamas, the Florida coast from Palm Beach north, and other areas in the direct path of Matthew have or will be suffering catastrophic damage. We need to be ready to do what we can to help them.

National Hurricane Center


http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
Main forecast advisories at 11pm, 5am, 11am, 5pm

Saturday 5 pm forecast advisory graphic

NOW FORECAST TO DISSIPATE BEFORE IT CAN LOOP BACK

    

 





purple line shows forecast track
SFWMD composite image of radars
current version at SFWMD
Miami radar
wind map on land (click to zoom in) or this

Mami-Dade County Emergency Management
http://www.miamidade.gov/emergency/

Some thoughts on hurricanes and flooding for El Portal residents

I do social science research on hurricanes often working with people at NHC and emergency management and stay in the info loop, so I put this up temporarily for my El Portal neighbors. Final decisions should be based on information from the weather service or local government however, not my opinions. -- Hugh Gladwin

  1. For future reference: if evacuations are ordered El Portal is in three different evacuation zones B, C, D. D and B are most vulnerable to flooding (see map below)
  2. Determine your flood risk by your elevation. Locate approximate elevation of your home on map below--numbers show elevation in feet
  3. Most common way flooding in El Portal can occur in a hurricane: when storm surge begins in Biscayne Bay the control structure on the Little River canal (near letter B on map) closes and will not reopen until the storm surge recedes. While it is closed rain flood water may back up in the canal. With heavy rain it can reach 4 feet or more so if your elevation is 3 ft expect a foot of water. The maximum it could reach in El Portal from a direct hit of a category 3 or 4 wet hurricane is about 7 feet. Note that this will be fresh water and will drain out as soon as the hurricane and storm surge are done (could be 48 hours). Power lines may be down--do not walk around in this water.
  4. If you will not be in danger from flooding and your house has areas inside safe from hurricane force winds, you are usually safer staying home than trying to evacuate at the last minute. However no one but you can evaluate those risks and make the best decision.
  5. Be ready for a week without power and services (possibly including gas and atm cash). It is ok to get bottled water but it is good to fill a bathtub or big can with plastic trash bag with water for flushing toilets etc. However our piped water is very unlikely to go out while the power probably will.
ANY QUESTIONS CALL 3-1-1

El Portal elevation and storm surge planning zone map