The Westside Gazette

PAGE 10 • JUNE 13 - JUNE 19, 2024
Deeply Rooted
www.thewestsidegazette.com
Get Ready for Storm Season with FPL’s Hurricane Preparedness Checklist
At Florida Power & Light Company (FPL),
safety is the cornerstone of our commitment
to customers and employees. It is not a matter
of if, but when the next hurricane will hit
our state, which is why it’s important to be
proactive in planning for the six-month-long
hurricane season. FPL urges Floridians to be
prepared this storm season and to be aware of
potential safety hazards at all times. Below is a
checklist for what to do before, during and after
a storm. For more tips, visit FPL.com/storm.
Create an emergency plan with your
family
• Determine if your home or business is
in a flood and/or evacuation zone and
review evacuation routes.
• Determine your backup power source
or make arrangements to relocate if a
storm warning is issued.
• The Division of Emergency Management
recommends keeping gas tanks at least
half full during hurricane season. For
electric vehicles (EV), make sure to
maintain a 50%-80% charge at all times.
• Contact your local emergency
management office if you or anyone
you know has special needs, in case of
evacuations. Apply for our Medically
Essential Service if someone in your
home is dependent on electric-powered,
life-sustaining medical equipment.
Build an emergency kit
• Stock up on non-perishable food,
bottled water, medications, flashlights,
batteries and a first-aid kit.
• Don’t forget phone chargers, power
banks and important documents in
a waterproof container – including
insurance policies, health cards, birth
certificates, Social Security cards, a
list of important phone numbers and
medications and a copy of your FPL bill.
Prepare your home
• Install an approved hurricane shutter
system over windows and doors or have
alternate coverings such as plywood.
• Store outside objects inside, fasten
doors and windows, cover valuables and
furniture with plastic and move away
from windows.
• Turn off and unplug any unnecessary
electrical equipment, including
pool equipment.
• Set your refrigerator and freezer
to their coldest settings ahead of
time to keep food fresh longer in
the event of a power outage.
I never thought any more about that
until I began to write this piece.
Understanding that being a man means
that we have to care about others puts
manhood into a whole different arena. We
say that we accept our responsibilities and
we try to show that we do; but until we see
face-to-face and stand stripped of our pride
before others for the sake of families, we
don’t know what caring about others mean.
Even though my father has
always been a God-fearing man, he
was not always perfect-but who is?
Learning to be a man requires trusting in
what you can’t see. “Trust in the Lord with
all thine heart; and lean not unto thine
own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 KJV
I saw my father give up his
understanding and lean on God. I saw this
with my own eyes as it began to happen.
Did I believe it at first? No. But when I saw
my father deliver a sermon that he had
studied for, prepared and written, I then
started paying closer attention to him.
My father has always been his own
man, so I thought. I now know why he was
• DO NOT attempt to trim any
vegetation growing on or near any
overhead power lines. Only hire
qualified professionals to trim
trees and other vegetation near
power lines. Visit FPL.com/trees
A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER from Front Page
and is able to do and become what he is.
Yes, his roads were not always straight,
his paths were crooked at times and they
were dark to those who could not see the
light; but he has been able to travel them
free from harm and any demons that may
jump from the dark because he trusts in God.
I do believe because my earthly teacher,
my daddy, has shown me that if we learn to
lean on God no matter the circumstances
or the hour, we can make a difference.
We can start by shining the light
in our families by being the example
we want our children to follow. This
example must come through the
instructions and wisdom of fearing God.
None of this will be of any good if it is
not real. How can you come to God holding
something in one hand while the other is
hiding behind your back? Do you think
that God can’t see what you are hiding?
This is not such an arduous task
if what you do is not contradictory
to what you profess to be.
Aside from putting it all out there for
others to see and not being committed to
for more information on our tree trimming policies.
• Look up and note the location of power lines before
you begin working on a ladder. Be sure that ladders
or scaffolds are far enough away so that you – and the
ends of the tools you’re using – don’t come within 10
feet of power lines.
Stay safe and informed
• If you use a portable generator, read and follow all
the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to set it up
outside – not in your home or garage – and connect
appliances directly to it. Do not wire your generator
directly to your breaker or fuse box, because the
power you generate may flow back into power lines
and cause injuries.
• Bookmark FPL.com and save 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-
800-468-8243) to your cell phone to report and check
the status of your restoration.
• Stay far away from and do not touch any downed
power lines or flooded and debris-laden areas that
may be hiding downed power lines.
• Follow local news and @insideFPL for updates on
storm conditions and heed warnings.
what you acknowledge to be about, there
is hardly any room for failure, especially
if you are guided by the Good Shepherd.
The trials are going to come regardless,
but you can be better equipped to live
through them and be better for it.
I’ve learned that my daddy is the
immediate example to what my Heavenly
Father is using for me to follow to get to
Him. And my daddy told me that he is
trying to emulate Jesus, who is the Son
of God. Therefore, if the Son of God is
like his Father and my father is trying
to be like the Son, then to complete
the natural order, I should continue
the example for my sons and daughter.
This will not come without trials
and tribulations, which I surmise
to be nothing more than tests and
these tests will lead to my testimony.
Be the father that you have been called to
be and let us keep the cycle of fatherhood
going.
Happy Father’s Day to all!
1957
The Broward Sheriff ’s Office has come a
long way since the first Black deputies joined our
ranks in the 1950s. Since then, BSO has worked to
diversify the organization from top to bottom to
mirror the community we serve.
2024
Today, BSO has a workforce that reflects our
diverse population, with more than 40 percent of our
employees representing the Black community. As the
first Black sheriff, Sheriff Gregory Tony is committed
to equality and a fair and just future for all.
Scan to learn more about
how BSO is fostering a
culture of diversity.
Sheriff Gregory Tony
@browardsheriffsoffice
@browardsheriff
SHOP TALK with the Sheriff
P O D C A S T