We're All in This Together
A message from Boca Raton Mayor, Scott Singer
Each year our community works together to prepare for the uncertainty of hurricane season. We review plans and stock up on supplies; we know the drill.
This year, however, will require some additional preparation due to COVID-19.
We want you to know that we appreciate your efforts to stay safe and positive over the past few months during this COVID-19 crisis. The new challenges from this virus make it more important than ever to prepare for Hurricane Season, which runs through November. This pandemic does make our response more challenging, but City and County emergency planners have been hard at work.
Here are some tips on what you can do now to keep you and your family safe:
- Be sure to stock up on hurricane supplies and take advantage of the sales tax holiday week that runs until June 4. View the City's Hurricane Guide for a list of supplies to prepare. Please remember to include COVID-19 supplies as well, like face coverings, soap, and cleaners.
- Trim your trees and clean out your garages this month. We encourage residents to be proactive to get bulky stuff away now so the sanitation system doesn't become overwhelmed. When disposing of household debris, please take special care disposing of COVID-19 related items such as gloves and masks. Place your garbage in tight, closed bags to help keep our sanitation crews safe.
- Test your generators and shutters. Make sure they're working and that you have all the parts. Plan on what you'll need if power is out for a week or longer. Make sure to organize your important papers, including your insurance policies.
- Know your evacuation zone and have a plan now, especially if you live on the barrier island or low-lying areas. If you're not in an evacuation zone and your home is secure, please consider hosting friends and family that are in an evacuation zone.
- Stay connected before, during, and after a storm. View the City's website on all the different ways how.
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Print Out Your "Be Prepared" Magnet
Since City facilities are currently closed,
"Be Prepared"
magnets are not available for pick up. However, you can keep important telephone numbers at the ready with our printable "Be Prepared" information sheet.
You can access the printable document
here
- and be sure to share with your neighbors!
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REMEMBER TO CLEAN & CUT
Get ahead and plan to trim your trees and clean out your garages, carports and storage areas
throughout the month of June.
Even though Sanitation Services
will not
provide extra bulk and vegetation pickup days this year, it is crucial that we prepare now and clean out our homes and properties, so we don’t overwhelm our sanitation systems.
Keep in mind: when disposing of household debris and even COVID-19 related items such as gloves and masks, please be as considerate and sanitary as possible and place your garbage in tight, closed bags to help keep our sanitation crews safe.
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Residents are strongly encouraged to do
all
major tree cutting/removal
by the end of June
in preparation for hurricane season.
For more information on tree maintenance, listen to the Boca Behind the Scenes
podcast segment.
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Thinking about buying a generator, restocking batteries, flashlights or radios? You won't pay sales tax on those items and others if purchased on
May 29 - June 4
.
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EVACUATION ZONES & SHELTERS
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Are you in an evacuation zone? If so, have you made a plan?
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MEDICAL NEEDS
If you or your loved ones have specific medical needs or take daily medications,
prepare now.
If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone, create a plan to get yourself and loved ones out of harm's
way. Also, be sure to talk to your doctor to see if you can get additional doses of your medication(s).
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PETS
Unfortunately, our furry friends are not allowed in county shelters. If you have a pet and are in a mandatory evacuation zone, you can pre-register at the Pet Friendly Shelter at the West Boynton Recreation Center. Space is limited and only one
owner may accompany their pet. All other family members will need to stay at the adjacent human shelter.
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SPECIAL NEEDS
If you or your loved one has special needs, Palm Beach County has established a Special Needs Shelter for citizens with certain medical problems. The shelter is staffed with physicians and nurses and has auxiliary electrical power, is wind resistant and not flood-prone.
Those with special needs are required preregister before any evacuation order is given
.
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Shelters throughout the County are already limited for people with special needs and pets. With coronavirus, the shelters operated by the county may become even more limited in capacity.
If you have a family or friend that lives in an evacuation zone, reach out and talk to them about what their plan may be and how you might be able to assist - maybe even offer them the opportunity to stay with you so you can all weather the storm together.
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Boca Raton Hurricane Guide
As a coastal community in South Florida, the City of Boca Raton is vulnerable to the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes.
Each and every household and business should develop a hurricane plan to meet their needs and answer questions like: Do I have a plan? What kind of supplies do I need?
*When preparing, please make sure you include supplies like face coverings, soap, and cleaners.
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The power is out and WiFi is down. Will you get our message?
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The City encourages all residents and businesses to sign up for emergency notifications to stay connected before, during and after an emergency or storm.
CodeRED allows City officials the ability to deliver prerecorded and emergency telephone notifications to residents via text and phone call.
Sign up in three easy ways:
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Nixle also keeps you up-to-date with relevant information from Boca Raton Police Services. To receive alerts from your local agency,
sign up
or
text your zip code
to
888777
for mobile alerts.
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Listen Up!
Communication is crucial before, during and after a storm. Hurricanes have the capability to knock out the power and destroy cell phone towers leaving you with little to no way to know what is going on in the City. To avoid being in the dark, be sure to have an AM/FM radio handy. The City of Boca Raton uses this as a crucial communication tool to provide important emergency information to the community through
Boca Raton Radio 1650AM.
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CONNECT WITH US
ON SOCIAL
City of Boca Raton
Boca Raton Police Services
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IMPORTANT
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
In case of an emergency, utilize this
Helpful List of Phone Numbers
and additional numbers below. Print out our emergency phone number list
from home.
- Police/Fire Emergencies
- Only call 911 when there is a true emergency
- Text 911 for an emergency, but ONLY if you cannot call
- Boca Raton Citizen Information Center
- 561-982-4900
- Activated throughout a storm
- Talk with City staff regarding any concerns, questions or information
- Fire Rescue (non-emergency)
- 561-982-4000
- Police (non-emergency)
- 561-368-6201
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