​by County Commissioner Hal Valeche

Each year, the official start of hurricane season shifts our focus to our preparations for major storm events that may occur.  One county division whose key role is to remain in constant preparation for hurricanes and other potential weather events and disasters is the Division of Emergency Management (DEM), which operates under the Department of Public Safety.

The Division of Emergency Management continuously reviews our systems and programs to improve education, planning, and response to the community.  This includes extensive reviews of past emergency activations.  The Board of County Commissioners recently engaged in a workshop with county staff and discussed specific lessons learned following Hurricane Irma.  With the county now assuming a larger role in running and staffing emergency shelters, it has become clear where we need to beef up those systems.  The county is looking for additional space to provide more pet shelters, and personnel to address medical issues that arise at general shelters in addition to the special needs shelter, along with other measures to help fine tune the shelter services.  This includes coordinating efforts with our emergency management partners in the municipalities.

The officials with DEM are expanding our Public information efforts and are making materials accessible through community outreach events and presentations.  Materials include videos, pamphlets, and giveaway items that cover topics that include what to bring to a shelter, how to sign up for AlertPBC, accessing ReadyPBC, and making an emergency plan. 

Websites and social media really help spread the word.  ReadyPBC (www.ReadyPBC.com) is DEM's hurricane website, which provides information on everything a Palm Beach County resident needs to know regarding hazards and how to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate them.  AlertPBC (www.AlertPBC.com) is the sign-up webpage for customized emergency alerts and notifications through phone calls, text messages and email used to notify you about imminent threats to health and safety affecting your locations or work environments.  These notifications can include severe weather, flooding, gas leaks, and police activity.  If you do not have internet access, DEM can provide a printed form to you to complete and return by fax or email.  The personal information you submit for this service is protected and will not be used for any other purposes.

You can follow the division's Facebook page at /pbcdem, or their Twitter account @pbcdem where DEM posts two to three times weekly on both social media platforms on a variety of items from disaster preparedness to County events.

The county's online link, http://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/ connects you with the Hurricane Survival Guide, which covers shutters and home reinforcement, shelters, information for older adults and those with special needs, preparing your yard, pet safety, suggested shopping lists, evacuation zone guides, and other practical checklists and contact information.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updated the flood maps for Palm Beach County in 2017 and this information available through DEM can assist you in determining if you are in a Special Flood Hazard Area, requiring flood insurance.  It may surprise you to know that in the past five years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods, so whether or not you reside in a high-risk zone or outside of a flood zone, you should consider flood insurance for your home.  Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage.  You can obtain more information at the Building Division's Flood Zone Request Line by calling (561) 233-5374 or emailing floodzone@pbcgov.org.

If your neighborhood or property owners association would like more information or would be interested in having a DEM official speak at an upcoming meeting of your members, please let me know.  As always, if I can be of any assistance to you, please contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at hvaleche@pbcgov.org.