Hurricane Drill May 23, 2024

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The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Your West Palm Beach City staff trains and is prepared should a storm threaten or land in our community. The National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service are predicting an active, above-normal hurricane season in 2024. We recommend all residents plan and prepare for advancing storms; and, stay informed during a storm.

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Graphic courtesy NOAA

The City will have key personnel in place after a storm for your safety. West Palm Beach Public Works, Public Utilities, Police and Fire crews responded in 2022 when Hurricane Ian ravaged Southwest Florida communities. They experienced first-hand what it takes to help communities in the aftermath of a storm.

Using what they learned, the City of West Palm Beach assembled a similar mass of debris to train additional City staff on a real-life simulation. On Thursday, May 23, West Palm Beach held a simulation to test our team of professionals on clearing streets, rescuing trapped residents, recovering those that didn’t survive and handling irate residents (actors). This realistic drill involved West Palm Beach Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Public Utilities and Fire Rescue crews working in shifts to clear debris and check cars covered in rubble to see if anyone was trapped. These drills ensure City staff is ready to respond to the needs of our residents.

 

Pre-drill briefing - 2024 Hurricane Exercise

Director of Public Works Leon Pinder Pre-drill-briefing

Assessing the damage - 2024 Hurricane Exercise

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Cutting away debris - 2024 Hurricane Exercise

Cutting-away-debris

Clearing the street - 2024 Hurricane Exercise

Clearing the street

Upset residents - 2024 Hurricane Exercise

Upset residents

Briefing the media - 2024 Hurricane Exercise

Chief Brent Bloomfield briefing the media