West Palm Beach Mayor James: Prepare Now for Hurricane Season

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, May 29 -- The city of West Palm Beach issued the following news:

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James, along with West Palm Beach Emergency Managers Asst. WPBFR Chief Brent Bloomfield and Asst. WPBPD Chief Sarah Mooney, urges West Palm Beach residents to prepare now for the Atlantic hurricane season. The season, a period when tropical storms and hurricanes are expected to develop in the Atlantic, runs from June 1 - November 30, 2020.

"I want to urge all West Palm Beach residents to prepare now for hurricane season. I especially want to urge our seasonal residents, who may have extended their stay in the City due to COVID-19 impacts and may not be as familiar with hurricane season, to take it seriously," said Mayor James at a press conference. "The actions you take now can save lives."

Hurricane forecasters at Colorado State University and NOAA's Climate Prediction Center are predicting above-normal activity during this hurricane season.

Consider these hurricane tips to keep you and your loved ones safe:

* Know Your Risk: Find out how rain, wind, water can impact where you live. This can help you start preparing now.

* Know your Evacuation Zone: You may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane. Knowing what evacuation zone in which you live will help you, should an evacuation order for your area be issued.

* Gather Supplies: Have enough food, water, and other supplies for every member of your family to last at least 72 hours. Consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors and prescription medications. In addition, given the threat also posed by COVID, it is recommended that you add two cloth face coverings per family member and cleaning items to your kit, like soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, or general household cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces.

* Beginning on Friday, tax-free shopping on hurricane supplies begins. Check the State of Florida's website for information about what items are tax-free.

* Make an Emergency Plan: Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plan. Discuss the latest CDC guidance on COVID-19 and how it may affect your hurricane planning. Complete a family communication plan.

* Stay Informed: Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a hurricane event. Visit the City's website wpb.org for regular updates and sign up for eNotifications or the Insider Newsletter. During a hurricane, contact the City through the Mayor's Response Hotline at (561) 822-2222 (TTY 800-955-8771). For emergencies, please dial 9-1-1.

* Check your Insurance Coverage: Review your policy, ensure you're adequately covered, and understand exclusions. Contact your agent for any changes.

* Special Needs & Pet Shelters: You must register with Palm Beach County in advance. Please call (561) 712-6400 (TTY 561-712-6342).

General population shelters are operated by Palm Beach County. In the event of a hurricane, residents are encouraged to consider sheltering at safe locations instead of traditional shelters due to COVID-19 impacts. Should you choose to shelter at one of the County's shelters, make sure your go-kit contains masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes, in addition to necessities.

For important hurricane preparedness information, including recommended supplies and links to evacuation zones, please visit: wpb.org/hurricane. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/. To call the City of West Palm Beach, please dial: (561) 822-1200 (TTY: 800-955-8771).