Palm Beach County joined Florida's flood emergency Wednesday. Here is how to report damage, find shelter and get a 30-day prescription refill.
Palm Beach County is now under a state of emergency from both the state and the county after the Nov. 1-2 flooding. Gov. Ron DeSantis added the county to Florida’s flood emergency Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The governor’s Executive Order 26-228 amends his Nov. 2 order, which covered seven other counties. It now lists 14 counties, including Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee.
The order says parts of Palm Beach County, including Riviera Beach, got more than 19 inches of rain in 12 hours. Riviera Beach is about four miles north of West Palm Beach. In West Palm Beach, the city says the official two-day total was 11.67 inches. Our record rainfall story has the city’s figures and service changes.
Two emergencies, one county
Palm Beach County declared its own state of local emergency effective Sunday, Nov. 1. It covers both the Learjet crash near Cresthaven and the flooding.
| State emergency | County emergency | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Gov. Ron DeSantis | Palm Beach County administrator |
| Order | Executive Order 26-227, amended by 26-228 | Declaration of state of local emergency |
| Palm Beach County added | Wednesday, Nov. 4 | Effective Sunday, Nov. 1 |
| How long | 60 days from Nov. 2, unless extended | 7 days, renewable 7 days at a time |
The county’s Emergency Operations Center has been at a level 2 activation since Sunday, the county said in its Nov. 4 update.
What the state order does
The governor’s original order, EO 26-227, now applies in Palm Beach County. Among other things, it:
- makes it illegal to sell or rent essential goods or services at an unconscionable price in the emergency area, under Florida’s price gouging law (section 501.160, Florida Statutes)
- lets pharmacists dispense up to a 30-day emergency refill of maintenance medication to people who live in a covered county
- lets the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard be activated as needed
- lets cities and counties skip normal purchasing and contracting rules for emergency work
The state order runs 60 days from Nov. 2 unless the governor extends it.
Rescues and shelter
The county said its Fire Rescue swiftwater team evacuated 71 people and nine pets from the Riviera Beach area over 24 hours from Monday night to Tuesday night. It made two medical rescues.
- If water is in your home: call the county at 561-712-6400 for shelter information.
- If you were displaced by the plane crash: a shelter for affected mobile home park residents is open at the Greenacres Community Center.
- Military Trail is still closed between 10th Avenue North and Cresthaven Boulevard. Our road closures page has the detour.
The school district closed six schools Thursday, Nov. 5, the county said: Washington Elementary, West Boca High, Grassy Waters Elementary, Jaega Middle, Egret Lake Elementary and Sandpiper Shores Elementary.
Report damage with your phone
The county’s Office of Emergency Management is asking residents to send in photos of storm damage. It said the photos help officials understand the storm’s impact and support recovery.
- Download PBC DART, the county’s free Disaster Awareness and Recovery Tool, from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- Open the Report Damage feature.
- Upload photos of damage to homes, businesses and roads near you.
Health warnings from DOH-Palm Beach
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County issued two advisories Wednesday.
On floodwater, the department said:
- Do not drive in flooded areas. Vehicles can be swept away or stall in moving water.
- Avoid skin contact with floodwater, which can carry harmful bacteria and viruses. Wash well with soap and clean water if you touch it.
- If a cut or wound touches floodwater and you have not had a tetanus shot in the past five years, you need a booster.
- Never let children play in floodwater.
On private wells, the department said a well that floodwater reached is not safe to drink from until it is tested. Until then, boil water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth for at least one minute, or use bottled water.
The department’s Environmental Laboratory in West Palm Beach tests drinking water for coliform bacteria and E. coli. A test costs $30, and results come the day after the lab gets the sample. The lab is at 561-822-4553. If bacteria turn up, the department says to disinfect the well and plumbing with unscented bleach, following its well disinfection steps.
How to help
United Way of Palm Beach County has opened a Disaster Relief Fund for people affected by the plane crash and the flooding. The nonprofit said every dollar stays in Palm Beach County. It is the county’s lead agency for volunteers and donations during disasters.
What it means for you
- Price gouging: If a store, hotel, contractor or tow company charges an unconscionable price for something you need because of the flood, it may be breaking state law while the emergency lasts. Keep receipts and photos.
- Prescriptions: If you live in Palm Beach County, your pharmacist can give you up to a 30-day emergency refill of a maintenance medication.
- Damage: Report it in PBC DART now, even if you have already called your insurer.
- Wells: If your home has a private well that flooded, test it before you drink from it.
We will update this page if the county extends its emergency, opens more shelters or announces federal aid. For other city service changes, call the city’s flooding line at 561-822-2222.
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