Matthew Media Briefing #2 10-5-2016 6 p.m.
PBC Emergency Management is currently Monitoring Hurricane Matthew
Palm Beach County Emergency Management officials continue to actively monitor Hurricane Matthew and its progress toward our area. Palm Beach County remains under a hurricane warning. All residents and visitors should be aware of the potential impacts from this powerful storm.
Please visit www.pbcgov.com for the latest advisories and to review your checklists and emergency plans. Under a hurricane warning, hurricane conditions are expected in our area within 24 to 36 hours. At this time, you and your family should be completing all your preparations.
Evacuations
Due to the latest information from the National Hurricane Center, evacuations are mandatory for everyone living in Zone A and Zone B. Zone A includes anyone living in mobile homes, substandard housing or flood prone areas. Zone B includes areas east of Country Club Drive south of County Line and north of Indiantown Road; east of Alternate A1A south of Indiantown and north of Frederick Small; all barrier islands from Singer Island south to the county line with many pockets just east of US 1. A detailed map is included online at www.pbcgov.com.
Use PBCdart app to determine if you are in an evacuation zone.
Emergency Shelters
Many calls are coming in from people requesting shelter locations.
There are 8 general population shelters are open in PBC::
· Lakeshore Middle School
· Palm Beach Central High School
· Palm Beach Gardens High School
· Park Vista High School
· Atlantic High School
· Boynton Beach High School
· Forest Hill High School
· Pahokee Middle School
Due to the mandatory evacuations, additional shelters will be opened tomorrow at 9 a.m.:
· Independence Middle School
· Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School
· Seminole Ridge High School
· John I Leonard High School
· West Boca High School
If you choose to go to a hurricane shelter, please bring the following:
· 3 day supply of water
· 2 changes of comfortable clothes
· Flashlight with extra batteries
· Cell phone and a battery-operated charger
· Medicines
· Snacks/Special diet foods
· Cash
· Photocopies of valuable documents
· Games, books and playing cards
· Space is limited, so please pack accordingly
Please be in a safe place by noon on Thursday.
Pet Friendly Shelter is open at West Boynton Recreation Center, 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth. The pet friendly shelter is available to Palm Beach County residents residing in a mandatory evacuation zone or in mobile homes. Proof of residency is required. Space is limited and restrictions apply. Pet owners are required to stay at the shelter. Livestock and reptiles will not be accepted. Pets will be housed in a separate area from people. Pet owners will be given a schedule to attend to their animal’s needs.
Special Needs Shelter – is open at the South Florida Fairgrounds. People with special medical needs should register for our Special Needs Program by calling (561) 712-6400 or visiting our website www.readypbc.org. You must be preregistered for either of these shelters.
Bridges – Intracoastal spans will be locked down at 8 p.m. this evening. Bridges will be closed to boat traffic, but open to motorists at this time.
Public transportation
Palm Tran buses will suspend service effective Thursday, October 6, at 12:00 p.m. (noon). If you need to take the bus in the morning, please have an emergency transportation plan in place for your ride home because buses will NOT RUN after 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Thursday. Once roads are safe to travel, service will resume as quickly as possible.
If transportation is desired to a General Population Shelter, Palm Tran has several routes that serve the shelters. Please refer to www.palmtran.org for a list of shelters and routes / bus stops that serve the shelters. You can also call 561-649-9838 to additional information.
Please stay tuned to local media and notifications from the Emergency Operations Center for further updates.
Tri-Rail trains stop running Wednesday night after last scheduled run. No service Thursday or Friday.
Airports – call ahead to confirm flight schedules and/or cancellations.
Closures
County parks and county beaches closed today at noon.
Palm Beach County government offices closed through Friday.
Palm Beach County libraries closed through Friday.
Palm Beach County senior centers are closed.
PBC Public Schools are closed Thursday and Friday.
PBC Libraries are closed through Friday.
Solid Waste Auth. – No garbage pickup in unincorporated areas Thursday or Friday.
What Actions Should You Take at This Time?
• Determine if your home is in a storm surge evacuation zone by going to readyPBC.com or the PBCdart app. Evacuate if ordered.
• Have a working NOAA all-hazards weather radio and battery backup to receive important warnings.
• Go through your disaster supply kit and review family and/or business plan. Remember to also have a plan for pets.
• Make sure that all other aspects of your home are as protected as possible.
For continuing information on Hurricane Matthew, and for more information on the Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management and hurricane preparedness, please visit: www.pbcgov.com/dem, follow us on Twitter @PBCDEM and watch PBC-TV Channel 20.
