Message from the Mayor
As hurricane season approaches, it's crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of yourself, your loved ones and your property. Our city is committed to your protection, and we want to provide you with essential information and guidelines to help you stay prepared. Hear directly from Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer on the importance of preparing now for hurricane season.
For more information on how to prepare and develop a hurricane plan, access the City's Hurricane Guide, and visit Be Prepared Boca. As always, be prepared and stay safe, Boca Raton.
|
|
Hear from the City's Emergency Manager - Christine Mucci
Are you ready? June 1 marks the start of Hurricane Season. We always encourage our residents to be prepared for any weather emergencies and to plan ahead. With the City's year-round preparations and your efforts, we can all have a safer season.
Some updates this year...the National Hurricane Center (NHC) will use a new seven-day cone projection, instead of a 5-day one. The extra two days could give enough time for everyone to better prepare their homes and businesses. Also, you can shop for hurricane supplies during TWO sales-tax free periods this summer.
Tips on what you can do NOW to keep you and your family safe:
-
Stock up on hurricane supplies. The sales tax-free weeks run May 27 - June 9 AND August 26 - September 8.
-
Know your evacuation zone and have a plan, especially if you live on the barrier island or in low-lying areas.
-
Test your generators, supplies, and shutters to ensure they're working and that you have all the parts.
-
Trim your trees and clean out your garages this month.
-
View the City's website for all the different ways to stay connected before, during, and after a storm.
|
|
City Staff Makes Hurricane Preparations
City staff from across all departments works hard to plan and prepare for severe storms and hurricanes throughout the entire year. As we approach the beginning of hurricane season, staff has completed the following work:
-
Tree trimming in City parks and public places - This reduces the potential for falling vegetation, clogged drains, and waste pickup, and keeps branches away from powerlines.
-
Annual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Hurricane Season Exercise - City leadership and staff recently completed this training to be better prepared for a potential storm impacting our area.
-
Drainage Improvement Projects - Multiple projects have been completed across the City in areas where water tends to collect. These areas are determined through continual monitoring and resident feedback.
As we continue to make preparation, so should you. Visit our website for more information.
|
|
Tree trimming by staff throughout City parks |
|
Annual EOC Hurricane Season Exercise
|
|
Drainage improvement projects |
|
City of Boca Raton is the Only City in PBC to be StormReady Certified
Boca Raton recently received the StormReady Certification from the National Weather Service -
the only city in Palm Beach County to do so. As a StormReady municipality, the City is better prepared to save lives and prevent damage from severe weather through advanced planning, education, and awareness.
|
|
|
|
Thinking about buying a generator, or restocking batteries, flashlights or radios? Buy them during one of TWO tax-free weeks. From May 27 - June 9 and August 26 - September 8, you won't pay sales tax on those items and others.
|
|
|
|
Residents and businesses - make sure to do all your major tree cutting, trimming and removal by the end of June. Don't wait!
|
|
It's Time to Clean & Cut
NOW is the time to get ahead. In addition to trimming your trees, make sure to clean out your garages, carports, and storage areas throughout the month of June. It is crucial that we prepare now and declutter our homes and properties, so we don’t overwhelm our sanitation systems.
|
|
|
Are you in an evacuation zone? If so, have you made a plan?
|
|
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).
|
|
PETS
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.
Update: Owners may NOT stay at the shelter with their pets but can stay at the adjacent human shelter.
|
|
SPECIAL NEEDS
If you or your loved one has special needs, Palm Beach County has 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.
*Pre-registration is required before any evacuation order is given.
|
|
Palm Beach County Shelters
Keep in Mind: Limited capacity will be available at shelters operated by the County.
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.
|
|
|
A Message from the Solid Waste Authority
As you update hurricane supplies, keep in mind that some items should not be placed in your garbage, but instead, be brought to one of the SWA’s Home Chemical and Recycling Centers.
Supplies requiring special disposal include:
- gasoline and oil from generators
- fluorescent bulbs
- propane tanks
- rechargeable batteries from electronics or flashlights
These items (and other home hazards) can be dropped off for FREE by Palm Beach County residents at any of the Drop-Off Locations.
Commercial interests should call 561-687-1100 for disposal options.
|
|
Know Your Flood Zone
With the possibility of flooding from a hurricane, it's important to know your flood zone and insure your property now. Floodplain management activities implemented by the City of Boca Raton may qualify residents in high hazard flood zones for a discount of up to 15% on their flood insurance premium.
|
|
|
|
Stay Alert Boca! Text Message Notifications from the City &
Boca Raton Police
|
|
Receive alerts from the City and the Boca Raton Police Department via text message, email, pager, or voice mail (in extreme cases), based on your preferences. It's easy to sign up and stay informed!
-
Sign up today! Visit Alert Boca or text AlertBoca (no space) to 38276
- Receive important information during a severe storm or hurricane.
- Plus, keep up to date on City projects, meetings, events and more
Other ways to stay up to date on City happenings all year long?
|
|
Listen Up - Boca Raton on the RADIO!
Communication about upcoming storms is vital. 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.
Tune in to Boca Raton Radio 1650AM, where the City will provide important emergency information to the community.
|
|
Important Phone Numbers You Can Print Out!
Keep important telephone numbers at the ready with our printable "Be Prepared" information card. You can access the printable document here - and be sure to share with your neighbors. Or, pick up our FREE handy fridge magnet at City Hall and our Community Centers. And, visit our webpage for additional resources.
|
|
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 (for hurricane-related information)
- 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
|
|
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL |
|
|
|
Boca Raton Police Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
