Page 10 - Abacoa Community News - July '20
P. 10
Page 10, Abacoa
Commissioner’s Update
Emergency Management – hazardous materials, nuclear power plant, dike failure; provide public information, work shelters, and inspect
Keeping Our Community Safe and, human caused – domestic security, workplace/ and respond to damages in recovery efforts, and our
employees have truly stepped up to the plate, while
school violence and mass migration.
And Resilient The 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season was above handling responsibilities to protect their own families.
average and 2020 is forecast to be similar, with a projected This year, the challenge has doubled with addressing
By Commissioner 16 named storms, eight hurricanes and four hurricanes hurricane season accompanied by a pandemic, and shelter
Hal Valeche greater than a category 3. staffing and facilities may need to increase further due
Most of us likely equate With oceans warming, the intensity of hurricanes is to COVID-19. Emergency Management has analyzed
emergency management increasing. Last year, Hurricane Dorian, a category 5 and this scenario to develop complementary strategies. This
with our annual hurricane the fourth named storm of the 2019 season, made landfall includes evaluating the decision process for evacuation;
season, and that has on Sept. 1 in Elbow Cay, Bahamas with maximum sustained developing contingency plans for congregate and non-
definitely been a major winds of 185 mph. Dorian impacted the outer islands of the congregate shelter options; providing additional screening
focus of this county division Northern Bahamas and devastated Grand Bahama Island and sanitizing efforts at all shelters; enhancing spacing
within the Department of and its surrounding islands. After two days, it turned north, and more frequent cleaning of shelters; evaluating staffing
Public Safety. This year, sparing Palm Beach County of its hurricane force winds, levels and available resources; and enhancing shelter
we have gained a painful with only the outer bands brushing South Florida. capacity for the special needs population and pet shelters.
lesson in another natural In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, 900 evacuees The Board of County Commissioners plays an
hazard, the pandemic. arrived in Palm Beach County via the Paradise Cruise Line, important role to reinforce the EOC actions and priorities.
While the event of a hurricane from advisories, warnings, needing housing and services. Those who did not have We assist with federal declarations and work with
landfall and recovery may require the activation of our local family or friends were taken to a triage shelter at the lawmakers to activate FEMA programs, and advocate for
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for a period of a few PBC Therapeutic Center in John Prince Park. From there, federal assistance and reimbursement. We also disseminate
weeks, the COVID-19 emergency has spanned months, with evacuees transitioned to temporary shelters. We assisted public information to keep our residents advised and
ongoing long-term prevention, testing and recovery efforts 155 evacuees. prepared to take protective actions.
that will take us into an unknown future with this new virus. Many Palm Beach County residents and businesses As we do each year, we cannot stress enough the
Palm Beach County’s Executive Policy Group (EPG) have relationships, properties and business partners in the importance of planning for disasters and we encourage
leads the EOC Activation Organization through the County Bahamas, and there was a strong push to help our neighbors all businesses and residents to make this a priority. It may
Administrator, Verdenia Baker, who also serves as incident in the Bahamas recover. Many citizens, businesses, churches, surprise you to know that 60 percent of households lack
commander. The EPG includes the county mayor, county municipalities and nonprofit organizations mobilized in disaster readiness. Everyone has a duty to be prepared. You
administration senior staff, public safety director, county response. County departments and agencies participated by need to know if you live in an evacuation area, and if so,
attorney, emergency management director, sheriff, fire conducting a relief donation drive contributing 14 truckloads where you will evacuate to within the county. If you are not
rescue administrator, and the Florida Department of Health and 500 pallets of supplies to the effort. in an evacuation area, you are encouraged to shutter and
Palm Beach County director. They also serve as liaisons Emergency Management has continued to plan and shelter in place. Make a kit, and keep it stocked. Consider
to the county commissioners, the courts, constitutional improve its emergency response systems, improving what arrangements you need to make for your pets or loved
officers, the school board, our state and federal legislative outreach for the special needs shelter application process, ones with special needs. You can find a wealth of helpful
delegation, and to the municipalities. expanding emergency information outlets in multiple information at www.ReadyPBC.org.
Emergency Management plans include responses languages, increasing shelter staffing and expanding on As always, if there is any way I can assist you, please
to three main categories of hazards: natural – severe our recovery plans. contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at hvaleche@
weather, floods, agricultural pests and diseases, fires, Nearly 5,300 county personnel are enlisted upon pbcgov.org. Remember, wash your hands, physically
communicable diseases; technological – transportation, activation to man the emergency operations center, distance, and be safe and prepared.
Northern Notes
Draining Swimming Pools
living in and around 4) Drain the pool slowly over a large pervious area,
By Katie Roundtree, them. Chlorine, bromine, such as your lawn, before letting the water drain into
Finance Director, Northern algaecides, biocides, water a storm drain. The water will filter slowly and evenly
Palm Beach County conditioners, stabilizers through the soil. Control the rate of discharge across
Improvement District and other chemicals in your property to avoid erosion and nuisance conditions
If you live in South pool water are toxic to fish for neighboring properties. Nuisance conditions such as
Florida, odds are you have and other aquatic life. the creation of odors, mosquito breeding conditions, or
a swimming pool. One of Here are some things to flooding can occur when water is ponded for a prolonged
the reasons we live here remember about draining period.
is the great climate where pools: 5) If your pool contains algae or other organic matter
you can enjoy swimming 1) Only drain your pool when absolutely necessary. (a black film), collect the algae and dispose of it in your
year-round. If you have a Avoid draining/backwashing your pool during periods normal trash. Decaying organic matter lowers the oxygen
pool, it is also critical that of drought and during significant rainfall events. Do not content in the water and should not go into the storm drain
you maintain the structure drain your pool when watering restrictions are in place. or any wetland area.
and treat the water to keep you and your family healthy 2) Leave the water in the pool for at least one week Please keep in mind that there is a direct link between
and safe. From time to time, it may be necessary to drain without adding chlorine or other chemicals before what we do around our home and the water quality of our
your pool for repairs. Whether the reason is cleaning, draining. If you can’t wait that long, use a chlorine canals, ponds, lakes and wetlands.
water changes, or just lowering water levels, pool draining neutralizing chemical found at most pool supply stores. NPDES tip: Dirt, oil, and debris that collect in parking
is a common activity. Please consult your pool supply company for further lots and paved areas can be washed into the storm sewer
Disposal of pool water into a storm drain is harmful to information. system and eventually enter local waterbodies. Sweep up
the environment. Pool water enters the storm drain system 3) Test the water before discharging to ensure that the litter and debris from sidewalks, driveways and parking
untreated and may contain chemicals that can harm chlorine levels are safe. Also ensure that the pH levels lots, especially around storm drains.
canals, ponds, lakes and wetlands, as well as the wildlife are normal (6.5 to 7.8).
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