New to the Palm Beaches? A Local’s Guide to Hurricane Prep

Thousands of people move to Florida every year, which means every hurricane season, many people in the Palm Beaches are preparing for their first real tropical weather threat. I remember clearly what that looked like in 2016.

Hurricane Matthew created a very real scare as it churned toward Florida. Palm Beach County went under a hurricane warning and ordered mandatory evacuations for Zones A and B. For many people who had moved here during the previous decade, it was their first experience preparing for a major hurricane. And even for longtime locals, it meant brushing up on hurricane preparedness after a very long lull.

That’s because Hurricane Wilma crossed South Florida more than a decade prior, in October 2005. Its enormous eye passed over all of Palm Beach County, damaging thousands of homes and hundreds of schools. Then, we collectively went more than a decade without another hurricane creating quite that level of alarm in the Palm Beaches.

Matthew ultimately spared Palm Beach County from its worst winds in 2016, but the experience was a good reminder of something longtime Floridians know: the best time to prepare for a hurricane is when there isn’t one headed toward you.

So, if you’re new to Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach or anywhere else in our little corner of South Florida, welcome. Here is what I personally think is worth knowing.

Start With the Boring Items

Before buying a single case of water, figure out your evacuation zone. Also find out whether you’re in a flood-prone area, where you would go if you needed to leave and whether your home has hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows.

If your home has shutters, don’t wait until a hurricane watch to figure out how they work. Find the hardware and make sure you have the right tools now. If you’ve never put them up before, doing a practice run on a sunny Saturday is considerably nicer than learning when you’re up against the clock. If you have neither, decide what kind of precautions you’ll take to protect your home if necessary. And while you’re at it, learn the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning. They are not interchangeable.

Build Your Hurricane Supplies Before You Need Them

Florida’s Division of Emergency Management recommends keeping at least seven days of supplies for each member of your household. That includes things like bottled water, shelf-stable food, medications, flashlights, batteries and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio for receiving local news and emergency information. Also, it’s wise to keep copies of important documents and insurance information handy in the event you need to reference something and don’t have internet or cell service.

After living here for years, my hurricane list also includes the things that could make any time spent without electricity more comfortable:

• Charged power banks for phones and other devices

• Battery-operated fans

• Plenty of pet food

• A manual can opener

• Activities for children that don’t require electricity, if you have children

• Cash in small bills, in case power or communications outages make card readers or ATMs unavailable

• Coolers and ice packs. Before a storm, I also like to make sure the refrigerator and freezer are cold and avoid opening them unnecessarily if the power goes out. A full freezer holds its temperature longer than an empty one, so this is also a good excuse to make sure yours is well stocked.

• Easy-to-eat, shelf-stable foods like canned tuna or chicken, beans, crackers and peanut butter and jelly — my personal favorite — along with fruits and vegetables that don’t require refrigeration, like apples, bananas, tomatoes and avocados. Guac, anyone? Don’t forget the chips. And because hurricane preparation doesn’t have to be entirely utilitarian, I like to keep croissants and a few current bakery favorites on hand, too.

And, perhaps most importantly, coffee you can make without plugging something into the wall. I personally love a good latte, and there’s a version you can make by combining cold brew with manually frothed milk.

Don’t Wait Until Everyone Else Is Shopping

There is a very specific phenomenon that occurs when a storm enters the forecast cone. Suddenly, everyone needs plywood, bottled water and exactly the same kind of batteries. Avoid the rush. Buy hurricane supplies gradually throughout the summer and keep them together somewhere in the house. When a storm starts getting serious, you can top off your supplies.

Keep the Car Ready

During hurricane season, Florida emergency officials recommend keeping your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full. I actually do this year-round just to make my life less stressful. It’s an easy habit that becomes extremely helpful when a storm is approaching and gas stations suddenly have long lines. For EV owners, Florida currently recommends keeping an EV between 50% and 80% charged, so check your manufacturer’s recommendation.

Don’t Forget the Lawn

Palm trees may look lovely blowing in a tropical breeze. Your patio umbrella does not need to participate. Before a storm arrives, bring in or secure anything that could become airborne: patio furniture, umbrellas, planters, toys, decorations and anything else sitting around outside. Do these things early. Preparing is much easier before the weather deteriorates.

Make a Plan for Your Pets

Have carriers or leashes accessible, enough food and medication and copies of important veterinary records. And know where you’ll take them if you evacuate.

Pay Attention to Local News

When a hurricane is approaching, this is the time to turn on local news. National forecasts are helpful for the big picture, but local meteorologists and reporters can tell you what is happening specifically in Palm Beach County: which areas are under evacuation orders, when conditions are expected to deteriorate, where shelters are opening and what local officials want residents to know. Keep an eye on Palm Beach County Emergency Management, too. And if the power or internet goes out, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio is worth having. During a storm, good local information can be just as important as everything in your hurricane kit. You may also want to download the AlertPBC app and opt in for emergency notifications by call, text and email.

The Most Florida Advice I Can Give

Perhaps this is the most Florida advice I can give. Take hurricanes seriously, pay attention to weather forecasts and updates from local news organizations and follow official evacuation orders. Learn about it, get yourself prepared and then carry on with your life.

A forecast cone several days out is not a prediction that the center of a hurricane will travel directly over your house. The cone represents the probable track of the storm’s center, and potentially dangerous conditions can occur well outside of it. Forecasts and conditions continually change.

Preparation gives you the luxury of watching those changes without having to run into Publix looking for the last flashlight in Palm Beach County. If you’re going to Publix, walk, don’t run, and make sure to grab a ‘pub sub’ or two.

One Last Thing

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, but the heart of the season arrives from roughly mid-August through mid-October. That makes August a particularly good time to look around the house and ask one question: If we lost power tomorrow, would we be comfortable? If the answer is yes, excellent, you’re set. Go back to enjoying summer in the Palm Beaches. However, if the answer is no, make your plans now — while the breeze is calm and the shelves are still full.

About the Author

I’ve called Northern Palm Beach County home for several decades and love sharing the recipes, gatherings, local traditions and hidden gems that make this corner of South Florida so special.