Dolphins open Hard Rock Stadium to hurricane relief efforts

The Miami Dolphins have adjusted their plans for the use of Hard Rock Stadium from a football focus to being a staging area for relief efforts for Hurricane Irma. The Category 5 storm is expected to hit Florida Saturday night/Sunday morning, forcing the postponement of the Dolphins’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Dolphins have contacted Miami-Dade County to make sure they are best set to assist with recovery and have Hard Rock Stadium staged for support.

The Dolphins also announced that they are suspending donation efforts they had made to help with the recovery in the Houston, Texas area following Hurricane Harvey in order to focus on the possible impact of Hurricane Irma on South Florida. The Dolphins had been sending supplies to Texas, but will now look to use already received donations to assist with any needs in Florida following the storm.

The Dolphins and Buccaneers will make up their game on November 19 in Miami. That date had previously been the off week for both teams.

The full statement from the Dolphins reads:

Following the NFL’s announcement of the Miami Dolphins – Tampa Bay Buccaneers game being moved to Sunday, November 19, Hard Rock Stadium now will transition from Hurricane Harvey relief efforts to focus on preparation for Hurricane Irma. The Dolphins have offered Hard Rock Stadium to Miami-Dade County to serve as a staging area for relief supplies distribution, if necessary. Details will be provided by Miami-Dade County as they become available.

As part of these preparations, the stadium will be closed to the general public and is not accepting drop-off donations for Hurricane Harvey.

On Monday, September 4, All My Sons Moving & Storage packed and sent three trucks of supplies and critical care items to the high schools of Miami Dolphins players Xavien Howard and Michael Thomas that served as shelters for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey in the Houston area. Items that have been donated since that time have been stored and will be distributed on a need basis to communities impacted by Hurricane Irma.

Fans can go to Dolphins.com/HurricaneRelief to receive information on supporting Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma relief efforts.