As Hurricane Milton advanced toward Florida, officials on Tuesday urged Palm Beach County residents to evacuate if they live in certain communities that are at greater risk during severe weather.
The warning pertained to those in Palm Beach County who live in evacuation Zone A, primarily those residing in manufactured or mobile homes, those whose residences have “substandard construction” or those living in low-lying areas prone to severe flooding.
Zone A is not any one single area in the county, but multiple parcels situated in various locations, from the south to north end of the county. Residents can look up if they live in Zone A using the county’s Hurricane Evacuation Zone Look-Up Tool at https://discover.pbc.gov/publicsafety/dem/Pages/Know-Your-Zone.aspx.
“Tropical-storm-force winds are expected Wednesday evening through Thursday, and our area has a potential for sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with occasional gusts of 50 to 60 mph,” County Administrator Verdenia Baker said during a news conference on Tuesday afternoon. “This is huge. This is serious, and we all need to take it seriously.”
With sustained winds being so high, Baker said law enforcement may not be able to respond, which is a big reason why the evacuations are being issued.
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Five of the county’s general population shelters, along with a pet-friendly shelter, will open at noon Wednesday.
Those shelters are:
— Palm Beach Gardens High School, 4245 Holly Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, 33410
— Palm Beach Central High School, 8499 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington, 33411
— Forest Hill High School, 6901 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach, 33405
— Park Vista High School, 7900 Jog Road, Lake Worth, 33467
— Lake Shore Middle School, 425 W Canal St. N, Belle Glade, 33430
— West Boynton Recreation Center (pet-friendly shelter), 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth, 33463
— Palm Beach County’s special-needs shelter also will open for those who have pre-registered with the county and arranged to stay there.
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