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CNN Live Event/Special

Miami-Dade Mayor Gives Briefing on Hurricane Michelle

Aired November 03, 2001 - 11:27   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Something else we've been following all morning, and that is Hurricane Michelle. We're told it's reached a Category 4, about 190 miles from Cuba at this point.

Brad Huffines has been following all the action this morning, and tells us the latest.

Hi, Brad.

BRAD HUFFINES, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning Kyra.

This is quite a storm. It's very well organized. You can tell by the fact that the eye is still very well organized as the storm is moving north. It's still on that northward drift now. Winds are 135 miles an hour, and the storm -- the winds around this storm are already affecting parts of south Florida.

Let's take you live -- to a live shot from CNN affiliate WSVN. This is Hollywood Beach, Florida. Winds are howling across the South Beach -- winds gusting to 20, 25 miles an hour. And this storm continues to move toward the north, and eventually should track to the northeast.

Let me show you where the current watches are right now on this hurricane. Hurricane warning is in effect for the western half of Cuba. A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch in effect for the Florida Keys.

Now that means that in this area right here, tropical storm-force winds are expected within the next 24 to 36 hours. And a hurricane watch means, Kyra, that there is a possibility this storm could cause hurricane conditions in the Keys.

So definitely if you live in south Florida, watch this storm. As of right now, the forecast is OK, but it could get worse. We'll keep you updated here on CNN -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, we'll continue to be updated it with you, Brad. And also we're getting updated now, I understand, from the Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas, holding a live news conference right now in Miami. Let's listen in.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS) MAYOR ALEX PENELAS (D), MIAMI, FLORIDA: ... right close to the Florida coast, and thankfully it eventually did. But, of course, we don't have the luxury of waiting until systems turn if, in fact, certain decisions need to be made.

So it is in that spirit that we are now beginning to monitor the system much closer, and beginning the process for the possibility of having to make some decisions.

But right now, let me be very clear, there have been no decisions made in terms of evacuations or things of that nature, schools or shelters. In fact, the EOC, the Emergency Operation Center is not activated. And I want to be very clear about that. We are here; we have limited staff here, but it is not activated.

Based on the information that we do have, however, in the official forecast track, it would appear that there is a slight possibility that tropical storm-force winds could impact the Miami- Dade County-Monroe line early Monday morning. Gale force winds, of course, would follow to the south of that, but at this time, based on that official forecast track, would not impact Miami-Dade County.

We also know that the Florida Keys are currently under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch. It's important that people understand that Miami-Dade County has no watches or warnings at this time, although we have been informed by the National Hurricane Center that there is a possibility -- a possibility -- that there could be some warnings posted for tonight. Obviously, we'll have to monitor and receive those warnings, if any, later on today.

So really, the message I think right now to the people of south Florida, specifically Miami-Dade County, is that there's no reason for alarm. You need to continue to monitor the system. You need to stay calm. To the extent possible, maintain your schedules and routines.

If you're going to the Hurricane game today or the Dolphin game tomorrow, take a raincoat because, in the best-case scenario, we're going to get some rain. But there's no real reason for people to start significantly altering their planned activities; but it is time to be prepared.

I think if nothing else, Michelle has reminded us that the hurricane season lasts through November. A lot of people, once we get past Halloween, think that we're clear. Obviously in this case, it reminds us that the hurricane season lasts through November 30.

So in that spirit, we're asking the people of south Florida, specifically here in Miami-Dade County, to begin preparations, prepare a family disaster plan. That's the first thing they should be doing. Identify where you would go if you are told to evacuate, especially if you're in one of our mandatory evacuation areas. Again, although we're not even thinking about evacuations at this point -- but it's the time to be prepared.

You should prepare a family disaster kit. And we've talked about these before, but it's a good time to refresh your memory. That includes drinking water, and typically the rule of thumb there is one gallon per person per day; non-perishable foods; a change of clothes; radio; flashlight, extra batteries; a first-aid kit; prescription medicines -- it's a good time to go and get those filled; baby food and diapers; toiletries; sheets, blankets, pillows; et cetera. This is the time to a gas-your-car (sic). These are the times to take these sorts of preparations.

The other thing we're recommending, of course, is to keep your TV and radio on. Listen to local authorities, and listen to your forecasts because, of course, with systems like this, a minor change in the official forecast track 30 to 40 miles to the north would make a world of difference in terms of the decisions that we would have to make.

In terms of your property, it's a good time to make a list of outdoor items that you may want to bring inside. Again, we're not asking you to do that now. Don't bring the items inside; but it's a good time to start making that list. Plan for your pets...

PHILLIPS: Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas holding a news conference there in Miami, Florida talking about Hurricane Michelle, telling folks in the area no reason for alarm right now, just to keep monitoring the storm, but prepare and put together a disaster plan if Hurricane Michelle were to hit the area there in Miami-Dade County.

He did confirm though, and as we've been talking about, Hurricane Michelle has been updated to a Category 4, and non-residents in the Keys were ordered to evacuate. A hurricane warning has been addressed in the Florida Keys. But right now in Miami-Dade, no hurricane warnings yet.

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