Tropical Storm Erika is churning in the Atlantic. According to the National Weather Service, the storm could affect South Florida by late this weekend. While we will know much more as the week progresses, now is a good time for all our community builders and neighbors to review their emergency plans and make sure they are well prepared in the event the storm has an impact on our area. Remember to check your disaster supply kits; make sure to have a 3 to 5 day supply of food and water; keep a full tank of gas in your vehicles; know your evacuation routes; make plans to secure homes, boats, pets, and property; check your insurance coverage; secure valuables and important documents; and monitor local media for important updates.

Also, please communicate with your neighbors to determine whether they may need some assistance before, during, or after the storm.

Finally, now is also a good time to sign up for the City of Fort Lauderdale's Code Red alerts and City News updates. We encourage you to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and remind you to visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/erika for more updates and preparation tips.

Remember, the most important thing we can all do is be prepared.

John P. "Jack" Seiler
Mayor