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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Tartan Army issued World Cup hurricane warning as officials run 'disaster drills'

Scotland face Brazil at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami during hurricane season (Image: Shutterstock)

Members of the Tartan Army have been handed a warning from Miami authorities ahead of their World Cup showdown against Brazil because the area is entering its hurricane season.

And they've also been told to forget about any traditional fans' marches to the games because of the extreme heat and humidity.

Scotland fans will travel in huge numbers for their first appearance at a World Cup for 28 years, with the final group stage game against the South American superstars in Florida.

But the region is on high alert at this time of year because hurricane season officially starts on June 1 and has famously wreaked havoc and destruction in the past during the time the World Cup is on.

And Scotland fans were namechecked by authorities to take special care because they are not used to the weather phenomenon.

Miami-Dade Department of Emergency Management Director Pete Gomez said: "We are very concerned and we want to get the message out.

"We have fans coming from Scotland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia who won't know what a hurricane is and what it can do.

"Our emergency preparedness team have had about 32 meetings a week to prepare for the games and we have had plenty of disaster drills.

"If, God forbid, it happens, we need to have a plan. And we do."


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And the Tartan Army have also been told to forget about staging any marches ahead of their showdown with Brazil to the Hard Rock Stadium because of the extreme heat and humidity.

Greg Terp, director of public safety and security for Miami Host Committee, said: "A lot of fans, like Scotland for example, have big marches and it’s a huge part of the event for them.

"We’re trying to talk to these groups ahead of time because they don’t understand the weather and the humidity and what it can do to them.”

And the US Government's warning coordination meteorologist for Miami, Robert Garcia, admitted they will have to work hard to get their message out.

He said: "This is the first time we have supported such a huge event in hurricane season.

"We have to assume people will be imbibing. So, in our messaging we need to be louder, significantly louder, to explain the need for hydration and the risk of the heat.”

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