Hurricane season runs to Nov. 30. Know your Palm Beach County evacuation zone, register for special needs shelters at 561-712-6400. City storm line: 561-822-2222.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Facts come from the City of West Palm Beach Hurricane Readiness Guide, Palm Beach County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Revenue. Live June 1 to Nov. 30.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30. West Palm Beach sits on the Lake Worth Lagoon, and the city’s own guide says flooding, not wind, is the greatest danger in a tropical storm or hurricane. Know your zone, keep three days of supplies, and follow county evacuation orders.

Who to call

  • Mayor’s Response Hotline (during a storm): 561-822-2222, TTY 800-955-8771
  • Special needs shelter registration: Palm Beach County, 561-712-6400 (TTY 561-712-6342)
  • Ride to a shelter (disabled, in an evacuation zone): Palm Tran Connection, 561-649-9848
  • Forecasts: National Weather Service in Miami and the National Hurricane Center
  • Power outages: FPL, 1-800-468-8243; see our power outage guide

Know your zone

Palm Beach County draws evacuation zones for storm surge and separate flood zones for rain and drainage. Type your address into the county’s Know Your Zone lookup, or use the county’s interactive evacuation map, which also shows shelters, gas stations and grocery stores with backup generators. Evacuation orders come from the county.

For your own lot, the city’s Forerunner flood map shows the elevation, flood zone and flood insurance rate map details by address. The city offers flood insurance advice at 561-805-6705, and because it takes part in the federal Community Rating System, residents get a discount on flood insurance, according to its flood information page. Most new flood policies have a 30-day wait before they take effect.

Before the storm

From the city’s storm preparation page:

  • A 72-hour kit: one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, three days of food, a two-week supply of prescriptions, cash, flashlights, a battery radio, spare batteries and pet supplies.
  • Copies of documents (passport, license, deeds, insurance, wills) kept somewhere off-site.
  • An out-of-area contact every family member can call.
  • A safe room: an interior room with no windows on the ground floor.
  • Evacuation routes planned ahead. The city warns that I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike will be very busy, and in-state hotels fill up.

Yard waste and trash

The city’s storm sanitation page is firm on timing:

  • Trim weak branches and trees before a storm is named, and put trimmings out on your regular pickup day.
  • Once a watch or warning is issued, do not trim anything, cut trees or start projects that make debris, and do not put anything at the curb. Crews cannot collect it before landfall.
  • After the storm, keep household garbage, recycling, vegetation and storm debris separate, and keep piles clear of fences, mailboxes, hydrants, water meters, storm drains and power equipment.
  • The city does not reimburse residents or homeowner associations who hire private contractors for storm debris.

Each spring the city also holds Vegetation Amnesty days with no limit on yard waste piles. See our trash and recycling guide.

Shelters

The county calls a shelter a last resort, for people who cannot stay home or with a friend, relative or hotel. Palm Beach County and the school district set shelters up in schools, and openings change with each storm, the county’s shelters page says. Shelters provide simple meals and basic first aid; cots and medical care are not provided. Bring three gallons of water per person, medications, bedding and snacks.

  • Special medical needs: register in advance at 561-712-6400 or through the county’s Special Needs Shelter Program. Space is limited and given by need.
  • Pets: the county’s only pet-friendly shelter is inside the West Boynton Recreation Center, 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth, for residents of a mandatory evacuation zone, a mobile home or substandard housing, with proof of residency. Pre-register with Animal Care and Control. Owners stay at Park Vista High School next door.

Supplies are tax-free all year

Florida no longer runs a hurricane sales tax holiday. Since Aug. 1, 2025, these items are always exempt from sales tax, according to the Florida Department of Revenue’s tax notice (PDF):

  • AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries
  • Portable generators up to 10,000 running watts
  • Portable gas or diesel cans of 5 gallons or less
  • Waterproof tarps of 1,000 square feet or less
  • Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
  • Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers

Sandbags

Neither the city’s nor the county’s hurricane pages list a sandbag giveaway this season. Watch the city’s hurricane guide and the 561-822-2222 hotline when a storm threatens.

After a flood

The city’s flood page warns: do not walk or drive through standing or moving water, which can hide downed power lines; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Report downed lines to FPL or the Police Department at 561-822-1900, and watch for gas leaks and displaced snakes.

What this means for you

  • Look up your evacuation zone and flood zone today.
  • Need help in a shelter? Register with the county now, not when the cone is drawn.
  • Stock batteries, tarps and a generator any time; there is no sales tax to wait out.

Related: power outages, trash and recycling and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my hurricane evacuation zone in West Palm Beach?

Enter your address in Palm Beach County’s Know Your Zone lookup. It shows your evacuation zone for storm surge and your flood zone. Evacuation orders come from the county.

Where are the hurricane shelters in West Palm Beach?

Palm Beach County and the school district open shelters in schools, and not every shelter opens for every storm. Check the county’s shelters page and local media when a storm threatens.

Is there a pet-friendly hurricane shelter in Palm Beach County?

One, inside the West Boynton Recreation Center at 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth, for residents of mandatory evacuation zones, mobile homes or substandard housing. Owners stay at Park Vista High School next door.

Is there a hurricane sales tax holiday in Florida in 2026?

No holiday is needed. Since Aug. 1, 2025, batteries, portable generators, tarps, gas cans and other storm supplies have been exempt from sales tax all year.

What number do I call in West Palm Beach during a hurricane?

The Mayor’s Response Hotline, 561-822-2222 (TTY 800-955-8771). For emergencies, call 911.