DYK: Hurricane Season Begins Next Week; Learn How You Can Prepare

The annual Atlantic hurricane season begins on Monday, June 1 and now is a good time for Florida residents to make sure they are prepared for any storms this season may bring.

DID YOU KNOW: There are many precautions that residents can take to prepare their homes for hurricane season and help reduce the risk of flooding in their communities.

AN INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM: South Florida has an interconnected drainage system, and flood control in South Florida is a shared responsibility between the South Florida Water Management District, county and city governments, local drainage districts, HOAs, and residents.

REGIONAL FLOOD CONTROL: The District works year-round to protect communities from flooding and ensure South Florida's regional flood control system is ready for storms, whether that's a typical summer rainstorm or a more intense storm event such as a hurricane.

This primary system of canals and natural waterways connects to community drainage districts and hundreds of smaller neighborhood systems to effectively safeguard South Florida's water resources and provide flood control for over 9 million South Floridians.

SUPPORTING FLOOD CONTROL IN OUR COMMUNITIES: Residents can help support flood control in our communities by taking steps to prepare for hurricane season. These proactive measures include:

• Making sure drainage gates, ditches and swales in your neighborhood are clear of debris.
• Trimming your trees and removing dead vegetation in your yard. Do not trim trees ahead of a major storm to avoid left over debris.
• Checking your community retention pond or lake for obstructed pipes and contacting the appropriate authority for removal (could be your HOA, city, county, or local drainage district).
• Finding out who is responsible for drainage in your community. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl.

STAY INFORMED THIS SEASON: The District continuously monitors weather conditions and forecasts, making necessary operational adjustments in advance of and in response to rainfall. If a storm approaches the region, the District will keep the public informed on its operations and flood control efforts.

District water managers and field station staff may take a range of steps to ensure the primary system can receive rainwater from local drainage systems. You may see canals or lakes lower than normal before storms as water managers temporarily "draw down" the system to create more room for anticipated storm water.

LEARN MORE: We encourage you to visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl to learn more about the steps you can take to prepare for hurricane season.