OOR Launches EV Charging Stations at the PBC Vista Center! | | Earlier this month, the PBC Office of Resilience (OOR) and Facilities Development & Operations (FDO) launched an electric vehicle (EV) charging site at the PBC Vista Center at 2300 N Jog Rd. in West Palm Beach, FL. This is OOR and FDO’s latest EV charging installation. The team worked with CityVitae to install eight “Level 2” chargers that are ready to use! Next, the team will install EV chargers at the Judicial Center in FY 2026. To learn more about EV charging stations in Palm Beach County, CLICK HERE. | | OOR Welcomes New Resilience & Sustainability Intern Kyle Balfour | | |
OOR is excited to welcome Kyle Balfour, its new resilience and sustainability intern! Kyle has a background in energy security, environmental studies, intergovernmental and legislative affairs, and international relations. He has previously interned for the PBC Board of County Commissioners, the U.S. House of Representatives, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Kyle holds a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in International Affairs with a focus on international environmental studies from George Washington University. In the fall, he will pursue a M.Sc. in International Relations focusing on technology and security at the London School of Economics and Political Science. In his future career, he seeks to analyze the nexus of international affairs and energy security.
| | Climate Compact Hosts Implementation Workshop | | |
On Wednesday, May 28, the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact hosted a workshop titled “Advancing Private Property Resilience, Risk Reduction, and Sustainability” to help South Florida stakeholders learn about ways to protect homes and businesses from climate impacts. This virtual workshop covered important topics including minimizing property damage from extreme weather events, climate risk outreach, and programs centered on technical and grant assistance. Speakers included:
- Juanita Ballesteros, Sustainability and Resilience Manager, City of Miami Beach
- Melissa Berthier, Director of Marketing and Communications, City of Miami Beach
- Katherine Burgess, Vice President of Land Use and Development, Smart Growth America
- Leslie Chapman-Henderson, President & CEO, Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)
- Erin Deady, Principal, Erin Deady Law
- Alison Higgins, Resiliency Manager, City of Key West
- Alannah Irwin, Administrator, Sustainability and Resiliency
- Amy Knowles, Chief Resilience Officer, City of Miami Beach
- Michael Rodriguez, Director of Research, Smart Growth America
CLICK HERE to watch the recording.
| | OOR Resilience and Sustainability Analyst, Javian Greene, Receives EEP Certification | | OOR is happy to announce that Javian Greene, a Resilience and Sustainability Analyst, earned the Energy Efficiency Practitioner (EEP) Certification. The EEP program is designed to educate and certify individuals new to the energy management field, teaching best practices for improving energy efficiency and sustainability. By earning the EEP Certification, candidates demonstrate their knowledge of technical and operational energy management principles, gaining recognition from industry professionals and peers. Javian is excited to use his newly acquired skills and knowledge to continue supporting PBC’s efforts in implementing energy-saving practices that reduce costs and enhance processes. | | Palm Beach County Solar Launches SolarAPP+ | | |
The PBC Planning, Zoning and Building Department (PZB) has launched SolarAPP+, an innovative online permitting platform for installing residential rooftop solar systems in unincorporated Palm Beach County. SolarAPP+ automates plan review and compliance checks for eligible solar systems, which reduces permitting timelines by an average of three weeks. Contractors working in unincorporated Palm Beach County can now receive an instant, self-issued permit by uploading their SolarAPP+ approved plans and approval number through ePZB Portal.
PBC joins over 280 local governments throughout the United States using SolarAPP+ to improve efficiency, enforce high-quality workmanship and safety compliance, and provide fast and reliable turnarounds for local businesses. For more information, CLICK HERE.
| Job Posting: Resilience Program Supervisor | OOR has a job opening for the resilience program supervisor position! Please see the details above. CLICK HERE to apply today! | | Stay Safe this Hurricane Season | | |
As we prepare for an above-average hurricane season, the County has resources to share with residents to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
Flood Zone v. Evacuation Zone
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Flood zones are areas that are at risk of being flooded due to coastal tides, poor drainage, or sheet flow. Evacuation zones are areas that can be inundated by storm surge or by a sudden rush of water ahead of a storm on shore. CLICK HERE to see if you live in a flood and/or evacuation zone.
Special Needs Shelter Program
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If you have certain medical conditions and need special assistance, you can pre-register for a shelter through the Palm Beach County Special Needs Shelter Program. CLICK HERE to pre-register. Space is limited. For inquiries regarding special assistance shelters, please call PBC Public Safety - Emergency Management at 561-712-6400.
Special Transportation Assistance
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If you need transportation to a shelter, you can request it through Palm Tran Connection. This may apply to you if you do not qualify for the Special Needs Shelter Program, live in an evacuation zone, are physically handicapped, or live in a mobile/manufactured/sub-standard home. To use this service, you must be pre-registered. To pre-register, call Palm Tran Connection at 561-649-9838.
Hurricane Shelter For Your Pet
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The Pet Friendly Shelter is located inside the West Boynton Recreation Center at 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth, FL 33463. This is only available to Palm Beach County residents who live in a mandatory evacuation zone, in a mobile home, or in substandard housing. Proof of residency is required. CLICK HERE to learn more and pre-register.
The Public Safety-Emergency Management Department has a plethora of resources for residents to utilize this hurricane season. Those resources are listed in the Official Palm Beach County Hurricane Planning Guide. CLICK HERE to access them.
| PBC Vulnerability Assessment for Unincorporated PBC & the Western Region | |
The County recently completed its Climate Vulnerability Assessment (VA), a critical step toward strengthening the County's ability to prepare for and respond to climate-related challenges. The VA report was completed in September 2024 and was funded by nearly $1.3 million in grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Resilient Florida program and the Florida Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) program.
It identified key climate hazards including sea level rise, storm surge, extreme rainfall, compound flooding, extreme heat, drought, and high winds, and assessed how these risks could impact vital County assets and communities. Notable findings include the potential for up to 103 inches of sea level rise by 2100, significant flooding during Category 5 hurricane events in places like South Palm Beach and Briny Breezes, and a projected 14 to 21% increase in rainfall by 2070, which could challenge stormwater systems in areas like Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay. The County is also expected to experience longer and more intense heat waves, stronger hurricanes, and shifts in rainfall patterns that may lead to drier wet seasons and more frequent droughts.
The assessment highlights County zones where critical infrastructure, such as evacuation routes, fire stations, and schools, are especially vulnerable to flooding and other hazards. The team modeled and mapped future scenarios of key climate hazards, which are available in an interactive GIS application, found HERE. These findings will directly shape the County’s upcoming Resilience Action Plan (RAP), which will prioritize adaptation strategies, guide future project development, and support funding efforts to protect people, property, and natural resources.
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Florida Resilience Conference Call for Abstracts OPEN!
Location: Charlotte Harbor, FL
Date: September 17–19, 2025
Details: The Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association and Resiliency Florida are hosting the 4th Annual Florida Resilience Conference to provide a professional forum for in-depth discussion on the state’s burgeoning resilience programs. The conference program will feature concurrent sessions on beach management, energy, infrastructure (gray, green, cyber, transportation), and smart planning. For more details, click here.
SAVE THE DATE: Florida Climate Week 2025
Location: Virtual
Date: October 16–17, 2025
Details: Florida Climate Week, presented by VoLo Foundation, is a powerful celebration of engagement, education, and collective action focused on the climate and resilience challenges facing our state. This weeklong initiative invites all Floridians to attend expert-led virtual sessions, connect through community events, take meaningful action, and amplify their voices for a sustainable future. This event is free and open to all. For more information, click here.
SAVE THE DATE: The 17th Annual Southeast Florida Climate Leadership Summit
Location: Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL
Date: December 16–17, 2025
Details: The 17th Annual Climate Leadership Summit, organized by the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact and hosted by Palm Beach County, is a key regional gathering that fosters critical collaboration with regional and national leaders to address the climate crisis on a large scale. For more information, click here.
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The South Florida Water Management District has issued its Draft 2025 Sea Level Rise and Flood Resiliency Plan that prioritizes resiliency projects. The District is seeking public comments through June 27, 2025.
To learn more about this important work, CLICK HERE.
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