Hurricane Preparedness

Storm Updates

Palm Beach State College monitors Atlantic storm activity. Any storm updates potentially affecting the College's day-to-day operations will be posted when needed. All Atlantic tropical cyclones and disturbances can be monitored via the National Hurricane Center website.

2024 Hurricane Prediction

National hurricane experts are predicting a very active hurricane season this year, one of the most active on record, and potentially an early start to this year’s storm season. It’s not too early to begin your early preparations. One tip is to check your inventory of storm protection attachment hardware. Most of that is ¼-20 thread hardware, which can be in short supply immediately before a hurricane. Stock up now on that vital hardware while it's plentiful and readily available.

As a College employee, do you have emergency contact information for members of your team? Even an old-fashioned calling tree can be useful to check in with colleagues in emergencies. Do you have a group text stream created to simplify emergency communications among your team members and with your supervisor?

A sales tax holiday began June 1 and extends through June 14, 2024, for disaster preparedness items so that will be a great opportunity to stock up on the hurricane supplies you might need. A second disaster preparedness sales tax holiday will begin on August 24 and end on September 6, 2024. Don’t miss these money-saving opportunities.

The names for Atlantic basin storms in 2024 will be Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Francine, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Milton, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sara, Tony, Valerie, and William.

Be prepared and be safe!

PBSC is Committed to Safety

The Palm Beach State College(PBSC) administration and staff recognize their responsibility for the life safety of individuals associated with the college as well as the protection of college property in the event of a major storm. This Hurricane Preparedness Plan is in place to provide direction for those involved in these efforts. The plan is not all-inclusive, however, and may be supplemented by additional actions.

PBSC Hurricane Preparedness Plan

Important Links

Basic Hurricane Information

Hurricane season extends from June 1 through November 30. That is the period when climatic conditions are optimum for the formation and sustained movement of hurricane winds. The stages of hurricane announcements given by the National Hurricane Center are as follows:

Tropical Storm / Hurricane Watch

Tropical-storm or hurricane conditions are possible within the specified area.

Because outside preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

What You Should Do

During a watch, prepare your home and review your plan for evacuation in case a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning is issued. Listen closely to instructions from local officials.

Tropical Storm / Hurricane Warning

Tropical-storm or hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area.

Because outside preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

What You Should Do

During a warning, complete storm preparations and immediately leave the threatened area if directed by local officials.

Extreme Wind Warning

Extreme sustained winds of a major hurricane (115 mph or greater), usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to begin within an hour.

What You Should Do

Take immediate shelter in the interior portion of a well-built structure.

Decision to Close the College

The decision to close will be based upon the projection of a threatening situation. Bulletins issued by the National Hurricane Center, the Palm Beach County Office of Emergency Management as well as the Palm Beach County School Board will be considered in determining the implementation of emergency procedures.

The President or Vice President of Finance & Administration may close the college in advance of a hurricane warning depending on local conditions, however, classes will be canceled once a hurricane warning has been issued for Palm Beach County by the National Hurricane Center. The college Centers for Early Learning will close upon the announcement of closure by the School Board. All facilities in the district will be closed upon announcement of the decision to close the college.

Once the order to close the college has been issued, the Facilities Department will be installing shutters, powering down A/C units, placing trash and paper bins inside, securing buildings, placing sandbags, locking elevators and doing other duties related to storm preparation. Non-Facility personnel should no longer be present on the campus during this phase of preparation.

Post Storm Recovery

Authorized college personnel will conduct damage assessment and debris removal during the first daylight hours following the cessation of storm winds. Employees not authorized to be on the campus during this damage assessment should monitor local media sources for information about re-opening. Upon returning to the college, employees are to reverse preparations completed during the Hurricane Watch. Report damage or requests for assistance to the Facilities Department.

Sample Pre- and Post-Storm Forms

Pre-storm and post-storm forms by campus: