Special Edition: Preparing for Hurricane Season

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

How do you recognize a visiting Floridian ... ?

Is it someone who tans in the sun without sunscreen?

Is it someone who swims in the ocean in November? Or ...

Is it someone who thinks that a gator is an emotional support animal?

How do you recognize a REAL Floridian ... ?

Is it someone who knows the ingredients of a mojito, or dresses in flip flops and shorts?

Is it someone who knows that Frances, Jean and Wilma aren't just any ordinary names ... ? Or ...

Is it someone who has a HURRICANE KIT ...

Be a REAL FLORIDIAN and ...

MAKE A KIT:

PBC District 5 Emergency Shelter:

Special Needs Shelters

Pet Friendly Shelters

Need a safe place to shelter during a storm? There are many pet friendly hotels throughout the County as well as secure boarding facilities for your pets.

The Pet Friendly Shelter is located inside the West Boynton Recreational Center at 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth, FL 33463 and is only available to Palm Beach County residents who reside in a mandatory evacuation zone, in a mobile home, or in sub-standard housing. Proof of residency will be required.

Owners may drop pets off at the West Boynton Recreation Center Pet Friendly Shelter. After checking the pet(s) in, owners and family members may proceed to Park Vista High School, which is adjacent to the Pet Friendly Shelter, for human sheltering. Owners may not shelter at the PFS with their pets.

Equines, livestock, small barnyard animals, exotic pets, and reptiles are not accepted at the Pet Friendly Shelter. Aggressive dogs may be refused if it is determined that it is unsafe for staff to care for and handle the pet.

The Pet Friendly Shelter should be used as a last resort option in the event of a storm or other natural disaster.

Space is limited at the Park Vista Shelter so please limit personal belongings to only those essential items. Suggested items for pets include:

Carrier for cats/ leash and collar for dogs
Pet food for 3-5 days
Food and water bowls
Light bedding for kennel where pet will be housed
Any necessary medications for your pet
Toys, chew bones, or other small enrichment items to keep your pet calm and entertained is it's crate.
ID tags with name and phone number attached to pet's collar or harness.
Vaccine records (all pet should be current on the rabies vaccine)

What to expect during your Pet's stay at the PFS:

Your pet will be cared for by experienced Animal Care and Control staff including,
Feeding
Cleaning
Limited walks for dogs
Dogs, cats, birds, and pocket pets will be housed separately.
This is a disaster relief shelter and should be only used as a last resort option. Check with your veterinarian or local boarding facility for additional options.

At check-in, staff will be available to answer any additional questions.

PBC Shelter Map with Evacuation Zones

USE THE FLORIDA DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TAX-FREE HOLIDAY

FOR YOUR KIT:

To view real-time information and emergency notifications before, during and after

the arrival of a tropical storm or hurricane, visit the Palm Beach County Division of

Emergency Management's official hurricane preparedness and resource webpage at

discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/Pages/default.aspx. To request emergency

county assistance, you can also contact the PBC Emergency Management Department at 561-712-6400.

WHAT TO EXPECT

THIS SEASON:

38th Annual Governor's Hurricane Conference

Mayor Sachs Delivers Opening Remarks for the

2024 Governor's Hurricane Conference General Session

(Pictured here L-R) PBC Mayor Maria Sachs and WPTV News Channel 5 Chief Meteorologist Steve Weagle at the General Session of the 2024 Governor's Hurricane Conference.

In addition to the general attendees and various weather experts from across the region, Mayor Sachs also had the privilege of addressing her fellow Commissioners and other PBC officials.

Mayor Sachs addressing over 2,000 catastrophe professionals, meteorologists, first responders and key county state and federal leaders and officials who all eagerly gathered to learn about, collaborate on and prepare for a 2024 hurricane season that experts are expecting to be one of the most active on record.

The insights gained from this conference were essential as we prepare for what may be an intense hurricane season ahead. With forecasts calling for an unusually high number of storms, ensuring that our community is ready is more important than ever. So then, I am staunchly dedicated to incorporating the lessons learned and the latest information presented at the 2024 Governor's Hurricane Conference into our county's hurricane preparedness and response strategies. I will work diligently to protect and support our residents through any weather-related challenges that may soon come our way.