Hurricane Information

Before the Storm

Make a Plan

Where will you go? What evacuation route will you take? What supplies, medications, and documents will you need? It’s important to sort all of these details out well before a storm approaches. Create a Family Plan or a Business Plan ahead of time.

Be prepared with food and water for at least 7 days; pre-arrange contact with family members; gather important documents, address book, and phone numbers; make plans to keep food and medicines cold; make provisions for pets; gather all supplies early; decide on a safe place to stay; secure your home.

Resources

• Visit www.pbcgov.com to view the Palm Beach County Hurricane Survival Guide containing complete survival instructions and evacuation maps, and PBC-TV CHANNEL 20 for Hurricane Preparedness to develop your complete hurricane safety plan. 
• Storm updates are provided by the National Hurricane Center.  
• Download the "Disaster Resource Guide for Older Adults" prepared by the Department of Elder Affairs. 
• State Assistance Information Line - The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding an emergency or disaster situation impacting the State of Florida.   The SAIL hotline is:  1-800-342-3557
• Disability Shelter Contact for Palm Beach County:  561-712-6329

Prepare Your Shelter

• Build a disaster supplies kit of food, water, and other supplies for you and your family to last for at least 72 hours. Click thevideo  to the right to watch the American Red Cross build a supply kit.  
• Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, generators and battery-powered equipment such as cell phones or weather radios.
• Learn about how to safely use generators.
• Fuel and service family vehicles.
• Make sure you have necessary supplies for your pets. Identify pet-friendly hotels along your evacuation route.
• Buy plywood or other material to protect your home. Determine vulnerable areas of your home that may need reinforcement.
• Trim trees and shrubbery so branches don’t fly into your home. Check the Sanitation schedule for debris pickup.
• Clear clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Bring in light-weight objects such as garbage cans, garden tools, toys and lawn furniture.
• Review your insurance policy or purchase insurance.
• Decide where to move your boat.  Palm Beach Post Securing Your Boat

Checklists

• National Weather Service supply checklist
• Florida Department of Emergency Management supply checklist
• Palm Beach Post supply checklist
• Ready.govBuild A Kit

During the Storm

Reminder: During the height of the hurricane, emergency vehicles are often unable to respond due to high winds. Please remain inside your home while the storm is in our area.

• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances
• Close all interior doors. Secure and brace exterior doors.
• Stay indoors and check for updates on the storm. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

After the Storm

Avoid driving around to look at damage because of downed power lines or impeding emergency vehicles after the storm. 

• Wait until an area is declared safe before entering.
• Watch for closed roads. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road, turn around.
• Stay on firm, dry ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from downed power lines.
• Wear proper shoes to prevent cutting your feet on sharp debris.
• Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until officials say it is safe.
• Avoid electrocution by not walking in areas with downed power lines.
• Continue following us on Facebook  and Instagram for updates.

Palm Beach County Damage Assessment and Resources Tool (PBC DART)

Use the Palm Beach County Damage Assessment and Resources Tool (PBC DART), which provides residents with information and tools used to prepare for a disaster and with the ability to report damage to their home or business in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Damage reports help disaster managers get an immediate Countywide "picture" within hours of a disaster event to help prioritize response efforts. Install PBC DART on your smartphone device.