Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hurricane Preparedness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Palm Beach Public Works urges yard cleanup, details amnesty days and drill ahead of hurricane season
Summary
Leon Pinder, director of public works for the City of West Palm Beach, outlined Vegetation Amnesty Days, collection rules and an upcoming hurricane drill and urged residents to prepare now.
Leon Pinder, director of public works for the City of West Palm Beach, asked residents to begin storm preparations now and described the city’s Vegetation Amnesty Days program, collection rules and a full-scale hurricane drill.
"Vegetation amnesty days is where we give homeowners and residents the opportunity to cut back vegetation at the residence, unlimited amount, as long as vegetation [is] only put out in front of their residence, and then the city will pick it up at no additional charge," Pinder said during the City Center podcast.
The program runs "from the April 28 through May 9 this year," Pinder said. Residents are asked to bag grass clippings when possible and to place bags on the bottom with larger branches on top so rain will not wash leaves into storm drains. For branches that cannot be bagged, Pinder said the city prefers residents cut limbs into manageable pieces — "4 by 4 sizes and no more than 2 inches in diameter" — so grapple trucks can pick them up safely.
Pinder said the city will stop curbside collection when winds reach 35 mph or higher. "Once the winds get to 35 miles or above, we'll cease and desist all services at that point," he said, adding that the city communicates service changes to residents through its website.
Public Works staff will also run an annual hurricane drill on May 15 to rehearse emergency responses, Pinder said. The drill will include staged scenarios such as downed power lines, simulated sewer spills, vehicles blocking roadways and actors portraying trapped people to exercise extraction and inter-department coordination.
Pinder framed the drills and amnesty days as preparedness measures meant to reduce debris, limit projectiles in high winds and help first responders and city crews restore streets and services faster after a storm. He advised residents to update family hurricane plans, store essential items in safe locations and secure loose outdoor objects such as patio furniture.
For details and updates on amnesty days, service changes and hurricane guidance, Pinder directed listeners to the city’s hurricane page at wpb.org/hurricane. "Don't wait until June 1 to get prepared," he said. "Start right now."
