The City of Hollywood and all of Broward County are under a Hurricane Warning. Residents should be using this time to finalize their storm preparations this includes securing their homes and businesses and ensuring adequate hurricane supplies for themselves and their family members.
As of 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 6: Hurricane Matthew is approaching Andros Island in the Bahamas and is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph. This general motion is expected to continue throughout the day. Outer rain bands are already approaching Florida.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 125 mph (205 km/h) with
higher gusts. Matthew is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-
Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Additional strengthening is expected
today, and Matthew is forecast to be a category 4 hurricane as it
approaches the east coast of Florida.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160
miles (260 km).
Matthew is expected to produce total rainfall amounts for coastal eastern Florida of 4 to 7 inches and up to 10 inches in isolated areas.
A voluntary evacuation for areas east of US 1 and mobile home parks is in place. Residents are urged to continue monitoring the storm and finalize all hurricane preparations.
-Garbage, Recycling and Commingled Materials (Brush and Junk) collections have been suspended in preparation for the storm and will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. Please bring in and secure your garbage and recycling carts and secure all brush/debris on your property.
-The City is not distributing or supplying sandbags, residents in flood prone areas should get sandbags from their local home improvement store.
-All residents and business owners should check their disaster kits, review their hurricane plans and remain informed.
-Make sure your emergency equipment, such as hurricane shutters and battery-powered radios, is in good working order.
-Ensure that you have enough emergency supplies, such as non-perishable food, water and medicine, for each person in your home to last for at least three days. This includes your pets.
-If you plan to evacuate, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to safely reach your destination and that you have all needed supplies. Broward County has opened 9 emergency shelters including 2 special needs shelters and an animal friendly shelter. Go to http://www.broward.org/Hurricane/Pages/Shelters.aspx
-Take steps to properly secure your home and outdoor items such as patio furniture, potted plants, grills, etc.
City of Hollywood personnel are taking the following steps:
-The City's Emergency Operation Center is under a full activation and all emergency response personnel have reported for duty.
-City Staff are in contact with the Broward Emergency Operations Center and National Weather Service for storm updates.
-Public Utilities has ensured that primary and auxiliary water pumps located throughout the City are working properly.
-All storm drains have been cleared. If you see a clogged storm drain, please take steps to clear it if you are able.
-High profile and waterborne vehicles have been prepared for emergency use.
-Barricades are ready for deployment on flooded/impassable streets (if necessary).
-All City facilities have been prepared for Hurricane force winds.
All City Administrative offices are closed and will remain closed Thursday and Friday. The City's Community Centers are closed Thursday and Friday. The City has rescheduled Operation Paintbrush. The re-blended paint giveaway originally scheduled for this Saturday has been rescheduled to November 12. The monthly Beach Sweep Clean-up planned for this Saturday as well as the Italian Festival at ArtsPark have both been cancelled. Hollywood residents and business owners who have a question about government services before, during and after the storm can go to the Hurricane information section of the City's website or call the Broward County Emergency Management Hurricane Hotline at 954.831.4000 or 311.