WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (July 31, 2020 - Noon) – A Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Warning for our area have been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). According to the NWS, heavy rains associated with Isaias may begin to affect south and east-central Florida late Friday night, potentially resulting in isolated flash and urban flooding, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas. Tropical storm conditions are expected with hurricane conditions possible along portions of the Florida east coast beginning Saturday. Storm surge watches or warnings could be needed for part of Florida’s east coast this afternoon.  

City Operations Updates:

Garbage/trash pickups:

• Garbage/trash pickup services for commercial and residential customers will be suspended on Saturday, August 1^st and Sunday, August 2^nd.  Pickups are scheduled to resume on Monday.
• ‘Special Pickups’ Suspended: The City of West Palm Beach Department of Public Works Sanitation Division has suspended “special pickups” until further notice. Special pickups are defined as dedicated customer service requests, for which there is a charge, of yard or bulk removal, when the yard waste pile exceeds 18 ft. x 4 ft. x 4 ft. (length x width x height).
• *See garbage/trash pickup tips below.

AS NOTED IN PREVIOUS ISAIAS UPDATES FROM THE CITY:

Hurricane Season Safety Tips

• Know Your Risk: Find out how rain, wind, water can impact where you live. This can help you start preparing now.
• Prepare for Strong Winds: Strong winds can bring down trees and power lines and can turn unsecured objects into dangerous projectiles. Secure loose items such as outside lawn furniture and toys to minimize flying debris

• Flash floods: Never drive through flooded roadways as road beds may be washed out under flood waters. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars and cause loss of control or stalling. Just one or two feet of water can carry away a vehicle. Avoid walking through flooded areas.

• Know your Evacuation Zone: Knowing what evacuation zone in which you live will help you, should an evacuation order for your area be issued. To look up your evacuation zone, please visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/Pages/Hurricane.aspx.
• Gather Supplies: Have enough food, water, and other supplies for every member of your family to last at least 72 hours. Consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors and prescription medications. In addition, given the threat also posed by COVID, it is recommended that you add two cloth face coverings per family member and cleaning items to your supplies, like soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, or general household cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces.
• Make an Emergency Plan: Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plan. Discuss the latest CDC guidance on COVID-19 and how it may affect your hurricane planning. Complete a family communication plan.
• Check your Insurance Coverage: Review your policy, ensure you’re adequately covered, and understand exclusions. Contact your agent for any changes.
• Power outages: Do not use generators indoors. Do not touch downed electrical wires or power lines. Charge cell phone batteries and make sure flashlights and battery-operated radios and televisions are working.
• General population shelters are operated by Palm Beach County. In the event of a hurricane, residents are encouraged to consider sheltering at safe locations instead of traditional shelters due to COVID-19 impacts. Should you choose to shelter at one of the County’s shelters, make sure your go-kit contains masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes, in addition to necessities. To look up shelters, please visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/Publications/Shelters-Evac-Zones.jpg.
• Special Needs & Pet Shelters: You must register with Palm Beach County in advance. Please call (561) 712-6400 (TTY 561-712-6342).

Garbage/Trash Pickup

• Please refrain from doing any major yard work until after a storm passes.
• Place out only what is necessary so as not to strain our collection efforts.
• Do not place any debris at the curb after a tropical storm watch/warning or hurricane watch/warning has been issued and before a storm impacts our community. If we have already conducted your normal residential yard waste pickup for this week and you leave additional yard waste prior to your next scheduled pickup, we will not be able to pick it up until after the storm passes.
• Please keep storm drains clean to minimize flooding. Large piles of new vegetation trimming might clog storm drains.

Stay Informed

Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a tropical storm or hurricane event. Before and during an emergency, the City will send alerts and updates through various channels:

• Visit: wpb.org (click on “news” on the home page)
• eNotify: To sign up for eNotify, visit: https://www.wpb.org/things-to-do/sign-up-for-enotifications-from-the-city-of-wpb
• Insider Newsletter: To subscribe,  https://www.wpb.org/government/communications/insider-newsletters
• Call the Mayor’s Special Response Hotline: (561) 822-2222.
• Social Media:
• Facebook: @cityofwpb
• Twitter: @westpalmbch
• Instagram: @westpalmbch

And:

Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed. Stay safe!

Vigilancia de Huracán, Advertencia de Tormenta Tropical Emitidas Para el Área de West Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (July 31, 2020) – El servicio meteorológico nacional (NWS por sus siglas en inglés) ha emitido una vigilancia de huracán y advertencia de tormenta tropical para nuestra área. Según el NWS, lluvias fuertes asociadas con Isaías podrían comenzar a afectar las regiones sur y central-este de la Florida el viernes por la noche, con el potencial de causar inundaciones y riadas especialmente en áreas con el drenaje inadecuado. Se esperan condiciones de tormenta tropical, y pueden ser posibles las condiciones de huracán, comenzando el sábado por partes de la costa este de la Florida. Vigilancias o advertencias de marejadas ciclónicas pueden ser posibles esta tarde para secciones de la costa esta de la Florida

Actualizaciones Sobre Operaciones de la Ciudad:

Servicio de basuras:

• Servicios normales para clientes residenciales y comerciales será suspendida el sábado, 1 de agosto y domingo, 2 de agosto. Servicios normales están programados para retomarse al lunes, 3 de agosto.
• “Servicios especiales” han sido suspendidos: La división de sanitación del departamento de servicios públicos de la ciudad de West Palm Beach ha suspendido “servicios especiales” hasta nuevo aviso. Servicios especiales son definidos como solicitudes específicas, para los cuales hay un cargo, del removimiento de basura o vegetación que exceda 18 pies x 4 pies x 4 pies (largo x ancho x alto).
• *Lee las sugerencias de recogida de basuras más abajo.

Recomendaciones de Seguridad

• Conozca Su Riesgo: Averigüe como la lluvia, el viento y el agua pueden impactar donde usted vive. Esto le puede ayudar a prepararse ahora.
• Prepárese Para Ventarrones: Los ventarrones pueden tumbar árboles y cuerdas de electricidad, y pueden convertir los objetos no asegurados en proyectiles peligrosos. Asegure los artículos sueltos, como muebles de patio y juguetes, para minimizar los escombros volantes.  
• Riadas: Nunca maneje por calles inundadas ya que el asfalto puede estar afectado bajo las aguas. Seis pulgadas de aguas alcanzaran la parte inferior de la mayoría de los carros, afectando su control u operación mecánica. Solamente un pie o dos de agua pueden naufragar un vehículo. Evite caminar por áreas inundadas.
• Conozca Su Zona de Evacuación: El conocer en qué área de evacuación vive usted lo(a) podría ayudar en el evento de que una orden sea emitida para su área. Para averiguar su zona de evacuación, por favor visite https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/Pages/Hurricane.aspx.
• Recoja Suministros: Adquiere suficiente agua, alimentos y otros suministros que duren por lo menos 72 horas para cada miembro de su familia. Considere que necesidades específicas pueda tener su familia, como suministros para mascotas o personas de la tercera edad, y medicinas recetadas. Adicionalmente, dada la amenaza de COVID-19, se recomienda que agregue dos tapabocas por familiar, y suministros de limpieza como jabón, desinfectante de manos, pañuelos desinfectantes, o útiles de limpieza para desinfectar las superficies.  
• Formule un Plan de Emergencia: Asegure que todos en su hogar sepa y entienda su plan de huracanes. Repase las ultimas recomendaciones de la CDC sobre COVID-19 y conozca como pueda afectar sus preparaciones para huracanes. Complete un plan de comunicación familiar.
• Revise su Cobertura de Seguro: Revise su póliza, asegure que tenga la cobertura adecuada y entienda las exclusiones. Contacte su agente para cualquier cambio.
• Perdida de Electricidad: No use los generadores dentro. No toque las cuerdas de electricidad tumbadas. Cargue su celular y asegure que sus linternas y radios/televisores operados por batería estén funcionando.
• Refugios generales son operados por el condado de Palm Beach. En caso de un huracán, los residentes son animados a considerar refugiarse en locales seguros en vez de refugios tradicionales gracias a los impactos de COVID-19. Si decide irse a un refugio del condado, asegure que su kit de suministros contenga tapabocas, desinfectante de manos, y pañuelos en adición a necesidades. Para encontrar refugios, por favor visite https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/Publications/Shelters-Evac-Zones.jpg.