More than 400 people entered Palm Beach County’s shelters by Wednesday afternoon to stay safe from Hurricane Milton’s impact in the region.
Officials in Palm Beach County had urged people to evacuate if they live in manufactured or mobile homes, those whose residences have “substandard construction” or those living in low-lying areas prone to severe flooding to evacuate. The county opened five of the county’s general population shelters, one pet-friendly shelter and a special-needs shelter as options for refuge.
The shelters opened at noon Wednesday and continued accepting people until 5 p.m. The shelters will stay open at least through Thursday, and that could be extended depending on the impact of the storm.
Shelters provide water and food, but everything else, including bedding, must be brought by those who chose to stay there. County Mayor Maria Sachs wants to change that going forward, especially because the state is looking at a “future of more severe weather,” she said.
“I’d like to see shelters that can be mobilized with cots and medical personnel,” she said. “We need to be prepared to meet the climatic changes that are occurring in our area.”
Beyond shelters, Sachs said first responders are mobilized across the county.
“Law enforcement is all over the place,” she said, adding: “We are fully utilizing our manpower with the firefighters, sheriff’s office, Coast Guard. We are ready, and we will protect our people here.”
For those who may still need to evacuate, there may still be time before shelters close at 5 p.m.
“If you have special needs, or if you’re living alone and you’re concerned and scared, go to a shelter. You may have a neighbor who is elderly or is living alone, check on him or her,” Sachs said.
As of Wednesday afternoon, according to the county’s emergency management department, hundreds had taken shelter at various sites.
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More than 150 people turned to Lake Shore Middle School at 425 W. Canal St. N in Belle Glade. It has a a capacity of 2,872. More than 150 people showed up to Forest Hill High School at 6901 Parker Ave. in West Palm Beach. It has a capacity of 2,531. The other shelters each reportedly drew dozens of people. Those are:
— Palm Beach Gardens High School at 4245 Holly Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, 33410. It has a capacity of 7,024.
— Palm Beach Central High School at 8499 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington, 33411. It has a capacity of 3,914.
— Park Vista High School at 7900 Jog Road, Lake Worth, 33467. It has a capacity of 5,395.
— West Boynton Recreation Center (pet-friendly shelter) at 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth, 33463. It has a capacity of 500, not including pets.
— The South Florida State Fairgrounds, which was being used as a special-needs shelter.