Broward County officials assist Caribbean nationals affected by Hurricane Beryl

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic Ocean, the Broward County Commission and local elected officials are moving quickly to address the needs of communities hit by the storm.

Hurricane Beryl caused widespread destruction in Jamaica, Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, resulting in at least 12 deaths and significant infrastructure damage, before moving westward toward Mexico and Texas.

Jamaican-American 9th District County Executive Hazelle P. Rogers has declared a special meeting to be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the Broward County Government Center, Room 422, located at 115 South Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

Organized by elected local women in the Caribbean, including Rogers, Miramar Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis and state Rep. Lisa Dunkley, the conference will bring together Broward County Mayor Nan Rich, consuls general from across the Caribbean, community and business leaders and other community members to discuss relief efforts and raise awareness of Beryl’s impact.

“Hurricane Beryl has brought unimaginable devastation to our Caribbean neighbors, and it is our responsibility to respond with compassion and support,” said Commissioner Rogers. “As a proud daughter of Jamaica, I am committed to working with the Caribbean community to provide aid to those affected.”

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“We stand in solidarity with Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados and all those impacted by Hurricane Beryl,” said Miramar Deputy Mayor Davis. “We urge everyone in Broward County to join us in supporting our Caribbean neighbors in their time of need.”

County Executive Monica Cepero is organizing a humanitarian aid drive to allow county employees to donate to relief efforts through payroll deductions. Details will be announced later this week.

“Broward County employees have always been passionate about helping our neighbors in need,” Cepero said, noting that many have family and friends in the Caribbean who have also been impacted by this tragedy. “In emergencies like this, cash donations are often the best option so relief organizations can quickly purchase the right supplies and ensure services get to those who need them most.”

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Port Everglades waives fees for emergency supplies

Additionally, Broward County’s Port Everglades is exempting ocean shipping lines from tariffs for transporting emergency and humanitarian relief supplies and services to disaster-affected areas on behalf of charitable or governmental organizations.

Under Port Everglades Tariff Item No. 950, tariffs may be waived in this case for a cumulative total of up to $50,000. This exemption applies to containerized, bulk, and breakbulk cargoes in support of humanitarian relief efforts where supplies, materials, labor, ocean freight, and related assistance are donated voluntarily or are resources provided by a government or charitable agency or organization. Ocean shipping lines that deliver humanitarian relief supplies at discounted ocean freight rates may qualify for reduced tariff rates.

To qualify for the exemption, ocean carriers must provide a manifest and a certified declaration.

Learn more about Hurricane Beryl relief efforts: