LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. — WPTV closed out its "Storm Ready" community preparedness tour in Loxahatchee, bringing together meteorologists, emergency management officials, and animal care experts to help western Palm Beach County residents get ready before the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1.
Meteorologist James Wieland presented the latest hurricane season outlook and walked attendees through the science behind storm forecasting, El Niño, Saharan dust, and tropical development. He said forecasts point to a slightly below-average season, driven largely by the development of El Niño, which typically increases wind shear and suppresses Atlantic tropical activity.
But Wieland cautioned that a quieter forecast does not mean residents can let their guard down.
"Even in a quieter year, one hurricane can have a major impact on your community."
Western Palm Beach County faces its own storm risks
Mary Blakeney, director of the Office of Emergency Management for Palm Beach County, told attendees that residents in western communities like Loxahatchee, the Acreage, and Wellington are not in hurricane evacuation zones — unless they live in a mobile or manufactured home — because storm surge is not a threat that far inland.
However, Blakeney said that does not mean those communities are safe from a hurricane's impacts.
"Hurricanes bring more than just wind."
She said flooding, tornadoes, storm surge, and power outages can all create dangerous conditions during a tropical system, and that emergency managers monitor all of those hazards — not just a storm's forecast track — when making protective action decisions for the county.
Residents can look up their flood zone and evacuation zone by entering their address at ReadyPBC.com.
Hurricane Milton a reminder of inland tornado threat
Emergency managers pointed to Hurricane Milton as a stark example of how far a storm's impacts can reach. Although Milton made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast, Palm Beach County experienced significant tornado activity, including an EF-3 tornado that carved a 21-mile path through the county.
Blakeney said one of the most common reactions after Milton was surprise — residents who did not know a tornado was possible during a storm that never came close to making landfall on the East Coast.
Officials said the event reinforced the need for residents to understand all hurricane hazards, not just the forecast track.
Pet and livestock planning
Representatives from Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control urged residents to include pets and livestock in their hurricane plans well before a storm threatens.
For domestic animals, officials recommended preparing at least 2 weeks of food, water, and medications, and storing veterinary documents in airtight containers. Palm Beach County's pet-friendly shelter is located at the West Boynton Recreation Center near Jog Road and requires pre-registration online.
The shelter accepts dogs, cats, pocket pets, and birds. Reptiles, livestock, and aggressive animals are not permitted.
Residents with horses and other livestock were advised to make transportation and boarding arrangements early. Officials recommended weaving waterproof luggage tags with owner contact information into animals' manes and tails, and ensuring animals are microchipped. Several Palm Beach County barns with high hurricane ratings accept boarding during storms.
What to do now
Officials encouraged residents to take the following steps before a storm develops:
- Review insurance policies and understand hurricane deductibles
- Store important documents in waterproof containers
- Keep at least 2 weeks of supplies on hand
- Know local flood and evacuation risks
- Avoid driving through flooded roadways
- Never operate generators indoors, in garages, or within 25 feet of a structure
- Create a family emergency plan before a storm develops
Officials also reminded residents that debris removal after a storm takes time. Property owners are responsible for moving debris to the easement before county contractors can collect it, and multiple collection passes may be needed over days or weeks depending on the scale of damage.
The "Storm Ready" tour made stops across South Florida and the Treasure Coast throughout May, bringing hurricane preparedness information directly to communities ahead of the 2026 hurricane season.
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