Assistant fire chief urges West Palm Beach residents to prepare now for hurricane season

Assistant Fire Chief Brent Bloomfield of the City of West Palm Beach told the City Center podcast that residents should prepare now for hurricane season, which he said "starts on June 1. It runs through November 30." Bloomfield advised stocking at least a week of food and water, updating prescriptions early and keeping insurance papers in a watertight bag.

Bloomfield said preparation matters because seasons are changing and storms can rapidly intensify. "The number one thing is knowing...the hurricane season starts on June 1. It runs through November 30," Bloomfield said. He cited recent storms that intensified quickly and warned that even storms that weaken at landfall can cause prolonged flooding.

On concrete steps, Bloomfield recommended trimming trees and removing loose outdoor items, securing perishable food by using nonperishables such as peanut butter and canned tuna, and seeking a 90‑day prescription supply when possible: "Make sure if we have a storm that's gonna be coming, that you don't wait till the day before to fill those prescriptions." He also urged keeping hard copies of insurance and important documents in a double‑sealed plastic bag because power and phone service may be out for days.

Bloomfield warned about post‑storm risks and safe equipment use. He said portable stoves and generators must be used outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide risks and that candles should be fully extinguished before sleeping. "Make sure your generator is outside of your house as well. You don't want your generator in an enclosed environment because it builds up CO," he said.

On evacuations and shelters, Bloomfield told listeners to consult local resources: "Go to our website, wpb.orgfront/hurricane. We have the evacuation zones there. Palm Beach County Department of Emergency Management also has them." He said evacuation zones are informed largely by storm‑surge modeling and that residents told to evacuate should do so early to avoid gridlock and fuel shortages. He added that the county—not the city—operates shelters, that most non‑special‑needs shelters are pet friendly, and that special‑needs shelter registration must be completed with the county in advance.

Bloomfield described typical shelter capacity and expectations. "Most of the time, we open anywhere between 9 and 12 shelters. Some of those are special needs and pet friendly," he said, and warned that space is limited in gymnasiums and hallways so people should bring only essential personal items; food and water are generally provided.

He urged residents to avoid becoming a hazard after a storm by driving into flooded areas or obstructing emergency crews. "Our first 72 hours is really about life safety," Bloomfield said, noting that responders need clear routes to rescue people and clear debris from roadways.

For reliable information, Bloomfield advised following local officials and local news channels and the city’s official social accounts rather than national talking heads or unverified social media posts. He recommended the National Weather Service and academic forecasts for technical outlooks but said local guidance matters most for decisions about evacuation and sheltering.

Officials reiterated practical, local guidance: know your evacuation zone, build a kit for about a week, update medications early, register with Palm Beach County for special‑needs or pet‑friendly shelters, keep important documents in a watertight bag and use generators and camp stoves only outdoors.

Brent Bloomfield spoke on the City Center podcast produced by the City of West Palm Beach communications department.