WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James and other city leaders urged residents on Wednesday to get prepared now ahead of Hurricane Dorian's potential impacts on South Florida over the holiday weekend.
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"We encourage everyone to monitor the situation and please stay informed," said Mayor James. "We encourage everyone to stay prepared."
The mayor advised residents to have a hurricane survival guide, and to know your evacuation zone.
"If you are told to evacuate, do it," said Mayor James.
Palm Beach County residents can check your evacuation zone by clicking here.
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Mayor James told residents to secure your patio furniture, don't do any major yard work until after the storm passes, and don't put any yard debris at your curb if a hurricane watch or hurricane warning are issued.
"Large piles of new vegetation may clog storm drains," said Mayor James. "We have to keep the storm drains clean to minimize flooding."
The mayor added the city's storm water team is checking basins and storm water drain covers, especially in areas impacted by higher amounts of rain.
The Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center is now at a Level 3 activation, meaning emergency management officials are actively monitoring Hurricane Dorian, and support organizations are being alerted that they may be required to help.
Officials said on Wednesday that if you need to stay at a special needs shelter during the storm, you must pre-register.
For a list of hurricane shelters in Palm Beach County, click here.
The latest forecast shows Dorian becoming a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall somewhere between Georgia and South Florida on Sunday or early Monday morning.
