Florida, with its picturesque beaches, vibrant culture, and year-round sunshine, has long been the beacon for those seeking to live in paradise. However, alongside the allure of its tropical climate comes the ever-looming threat of hurricanes. As thousands of new residents flock to the Sunshine State each year, it becomes increasingly crucial to emphasize the significance of hurricane preparedness and prevention measures. Beyond safeguarding property and infrastructure, the well-being and safety of Florida's residents are at stake.

June 1 is the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 – November 30, and researchers at Colorado State University are predicting an extremely active season with 23 named storms, including 11 that will become hurricanes and five reaching major hurricane strength (Category 3 or higher. While these may be sobering statistics, particularly for new residents who are largely unfamiliar with hurricanes, there are many resources available through Palm Beach County's Division of Emergency Management. Before the season begins, it's important to take care of things that require a bit more time, which will have you prepared and ready to respond when the warnings come. 

Start building your hurricane kit with the Official Palm Beach County Hurricane Planning Guide, which you can find at https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/PDF/Hurricane-Guide.pdf. For any additional information, or if you do not have internet access, contact the Emergency Information Center at (561) 712-6400 or our office can mail one to you. The guide is a comprehensive source for “everything-you-need-to-know" about being prepared in the event of a storm. It includes checklists for supplies, and questions to ask yourself about the condition of your home, or if you are located in a mandatory evacuation area. If so, the guide also includes transportation and shelter information, what you should do to secure your home, and what to bring with you.

Your plan should include a kit of essentials for sheltering in place, that includes non-perishable food, health and first aid supplies, paper goods, a full prescription of your required medications, a waterproof container to store important documents, cleaning supplies, tools, candles, flashlights, batteries. Likewise, remember to prepare a kit for your pets.  Also, if you haven't fired up your generator, test it now and make sure you have gas for it. Residents should keep their vehicles' gas tanks at least half full during hurricane season to ensure they have enough fuel to evacuate as soon as possible without worrying about long lines at gas stations and to avoid gas shortages prior to a storm. For Floridians with electric vehicles, it's recommended that the battery be maintained between 50%-80% capacity at all times, depending on the type of vehicle and what the vehicle's manual recommends.

Now is the time to prune your yard vegetation and perform your major tree cutting, because once a storm watch or warning is issued there is no certainty that your hauler will be able to collect your yard trimmings and only a maximum of one (1) 6 cubic yard pile of yard waste is collected each week. Additionally, if you have expired hurricane supplies that may include power tool batteries, propane tanks, or fuel, dispose of them properly at any of the Solid Waste Authority Home Chemical and Recycling Centers. The North County Transfer Station is located at 14185 North Military Trail, Jupiter, 33458, and you can find additional information at Home Chemical Disposal | Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, FL (swa.org) or by calling 561-697-2700 or 866-SWA-INFO (toll-free).

Register now for Palm Beach County's Emergency Notification System, better known as AlertPBC by visiting discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem and click on this image. AlertPBC allows you to opt in to receive notice via phone calls, text messaging, emails and more, about city/county or weather safety hazards or concerns. All registered information is protected and is not be used for any other purpose.

​​You can download the Palm Beach County Disaster Awareness and Recovery Tool (DART) app on your smartphone to track evacuation zones, shelter open/closed status, damage assessment information, and many other features to help you during a disaster.

Lastly, instead of buying water in bottles, consider using your own tap water and fill all of those containers you already have at home. This will save you money and save our landfills. Be well, and be prepared. If I can assist you, please contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@pbc.gov​