For your safety, there is no substitute for advance planning and preparation for flood events. Do not drive around road barriers. Roads may not be distinguishable from canals. Do not walk through flowing water. As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Evacuate the area as soon as the order is given or sooner if possible! If evacuation becomes necessary, turn off all utility services at the main connection.

To find out if your property is in a flood zone or susceptible to coastal erosion, if it is in an area that has flooded previously, is located near an area that should be protected due to its natural floodplain functions, and if an elevation certificate is on file, call the Town at (561) 844-3457.

Whether or not your property is in a FEMA-defined flood zone, you should buy flood insurance. Losses due to flooding are not covered in a typical homeowners' insurance policy. Flood insurance is available for buildings, and a separate policy can be purchased for the contents of a building (Renters take note!). Call your insurance agent today or go to www.FloodSmart.gov to find an agent. There is a 30-day waiting period before the policy becomes effective.

There are practical and cost-effective methods for reducing or eliminating your property's exposure to flooding. Check your building for water entry points, such as doors, low windows, and dryer vents. These can be protected by constructing low walls, barriers, or berms to keep water away from the building. You could elevate the building, elevate electrical equipment, and install backflow valves. Find more information at FEMA's website, www.ready.gov/floods. Town staff members are available to provide flood-related property protection consultations, including site visits and drainage evaluation. Call (561) 844-3457 for more information about these services.

A community can lose a portion of its drainage system carrying or storage capacity due to dumping, debris, soil erosion, sedimentation, and the over-growth of vegetation. When this happens, flooding occurs more frequently, and the water rises higher, subjecting properties otherwise protected to the unnecessary risk of damage. Keep grass clippings and other debris out of storm water drainage systems to prevent clogging and loss of storm water storage. Should you experience any drainage problems or report illegal dumping of debris into the storm water system, please call the Town at (561) 844-3457 to report the problem.

Residents should be aware that Palm Beach Shores is linked to the Palm Beach County Emergency Management Division, which will advise our community of impending storms and flood threats. Stay tuned to local television and radio stations and the Weather Channel for up-to-the-minute information. The Palm Beach Shores Emergency Management Department has a new emergency and mass notification system that will allow the town to send urgent messages to those who are interested and sign-up. CodeRED will be used to alert subscribers of natural disasters including severe storms, tornadoes, floods, or man-made disasters, such as chemical spills, bio-hazards, and Amber Alert. Town Emergency Management staff will provide detailed and site-specific information regarding storm conditions and flood threats and issue updates, warnings, and door-to-door evacuation notices as needed.

Orlando Rodriguez

CRS Coordinator

Floodplain Coordinator

Orodriguez@pbstownhall.org