BOCA RATON, Fla. — WPTV's "Storm Ready" Hurricane Preparedness Tour made its fifth of six stops Tuesday at the Boca Raton Public Library.
WPTV meteorologist Sami Squires shared tips on how to prepare homes and families for hurricane season, which begins June 1. Topics included how to prepare for a storm, insuring your home, what to do after a storm, and other safety tips.
WPTV anchor Todd Wilson led a question-and-answer session with attendees and local emergency management officials, including Mary Blakeney, director of the Palm Beach County Office of Emergency Management, Manuel Rodriguez, emergency manager for the city of Boca Raton, Jessica Desir, a Boca Raton Police Department public information officer, and Lieutenant Karl Richards from the Boca Raton Fire Department.
Residents can visit readypbc.com to look up their address to find out if they are in a flood zone and what evacuation zone they are in.
Blakeney reminded residents that evacuation zones and flood zones are not the same thing. Evacuation Zone A includes all manufactured and mobile homes, due to wind risk. All other evacuation zones are based on anticipated storm surge.
"If it's determined you're in an evacuation zone and Palm Beach County calls for your zone, you need to evacuate," Blakeney said. "If you do not leave, it then becomes a death threat."
Blakeney also encouraged residents to create a communication plan and share it with family and loved ones before a storm arrives.
"Have that point person that you will communicate back to and let them know if you're safe or not," Blakeney said.
Residents do not need to travel hundreds of miles to evacuate. Leaving the evacuation zone is the goal. If possible, go to a friend's or family member's home that is not in a flood zone. Emergency shelters are also available, though officials say they should be a last resort.
Palm Beach County has 15 general population shelters, all located in Palm Beach County schools. Pet-friendly and special needs shelters are also available. Residents who need a special needs or pet-friendly shelter must pre-register on readypbc.com. Listen to news and official outlets to find out which shelters are being activated, as that is determined based on the size and intensity of the storm.
Transportation to shelters is available through Palm Tran bus service. Riders can board any Palm Tran bus, and if it is heading to a shelter, Palm Tran will get them there. The same applies to special needs shelters.
As a last resort, Boca Raton Police can provide a ride to a shelter or safe space for residents who have no other option. Residents who need a ride should contact Boca Raton Police only in that worst-case scenario.
The final stop on the Storm Ready tour is scheduled for May 28 at Buena Vista Farms, 14301 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee, FL 33470.
For more resources, visit readypbc.com.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
