Page 14 - Talk of Tequesta - January '23

Page 14, The Talk Of Tequesta

commissioNer’s updaTe

Post-Hurricane Season Wrap-Up

By Commissioner Maria Marino

November 22 into activation on Nov. 7 and reached Level 1 full activation associated with Hurricane Nicole. Extensive dune and beach
Now t ha t we a re on Nov. 9, as hurricane watches and warnings were issued, restoration work completed over the past few years provided
officially finished with the returning to normal operations the following Tuesday. During protection to our parks and infrastructure from damages seen
2022 hurricane season and this activation, our incident command team kept in contact elsewhere on Florida’s coast. County staff perform beach
we can reflect on the late- with all 39 municipalities and participated in daily conference condition assessments prior to and immediately following
season storms that made calls with the State of Florida EOC, the U.S. Coast Guard, and passage of tropical systems as part of their emergency
landfall on Florida’s shores, the National Weather Service. We kept the public informed management roles. Preliminary assessments suggest county
it is helpful to learn how through news releases, two press conferences, and numerous beaches experienced some sand loss from the dry beach, but
our county programs work social media posts. we are already seeing some natural recovery as some of this
to keep us safe and protect The county opened seven general population shelters, material naturally migrates back to the beach by typical wave
our properties and natural one pet-friendly shelter, and a special needs shelter, housing conditions.
resources. 517 of the general population, 21 special needs persons, We were truly fortunate that we ended up outside the direct
Fortunately, we were spared most of the damaging effects and 29 pets. Emergency staff monitored more than 8,000 path of Hurricane Nicole, but given the unpredictability of
of Hurricane Nicole, a Category 1 storm that came ashore on power outages, and handled 1,095 calls to our Emergency storm systems despite the advances in weather forecasting,
North Hutchinson Island just south of Vero Beach on Nov. Information Center. Public Works crews locked down eight this underscores the need to keep our personal emergency
10, as areas like ours to the south did not bear the brunt of the bascule bridges to allow continuous vehicle traffic, and plans ready and our hurricane supplies stocked. You can
storm. Having witnessed in real time, Category 4 Hurricane removed 49 signal heads and 20 LED blank out signs. Staff access the Hurricane Planning Guide at Official Palm Beach
Ian, which decimated coastal communities in Southwest conducted damage assessments countywide. County Hurricane Planning Guide (pbcgov.org), or request a
Florida, and which spawned tornadoes in western Delray Beaches are the first line of defense against the enormous print copy by calling the Emergency Information Center at
Beach, residents took the warnings, watches and evacuation energy from tropical systems that threaten our coastal (561) 712-6400.
orders seriously. communities. County-managed beaches were well prepared If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me at (561)
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) quickly moved and performed as designed to mitigate significant damages 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.

Peanut Island – A Tropical Paradise

With Historic Significance

December 14 Coast Guard Station and boathouse, and the John F. Kennedy Heron Boulevard, you will be awestruck by the crystal-clear
Palm Beach Bunker, a Cold-War era nuclear bomb shelter built in 1961. waters that surround the island. Numerous varieties of fish
County’s Parks Situated on land owned by the Port of Palm Beach, the are plentiful, which makes the island a popular destination
and Recreation facilities have suffered from decay and neglect. In January for fishing and snorkeling. You can also walk along winding
Department 2022, the County Commission entered a 30-year lease paver pathways, enjoy its beaches, or get together at one of
has received with the port to take over, restore, manage and maintain several picnic areas or pavilions. A 17-site campground is
national awards the historical properties for educational tours. The county available for overnight campers that you can reserve online
and recognition anticipates that grant funding, impact fees and legislative at www.bookyoursite.com/campgrounds/peanutislandfl, or
for a reason: We appropriations will cover the costs of the extensive work by calling (561) 845-4445 or toll-free at (866) 383-5730.
provide diverse, required, and it has been an honor for me to participate in Views from Peanut Island give you magnificent vistas of
safe and affordable recreation service, welcoming parks, securing and preserving this site for future generations. the inlet, up and down the Intracoastal Waterway, and quiet
and enriching social and cultural experiences. Our sights The Florida Inland Navigational District owns a large marina views to the west. It is truly a wonderful means to
are set on promoting wellness, practicing environmental portion of the northern half of the island that has continued “get away from it all” for a day, not far from our bustling
stewardship, contributing economic value, and improving to serve as a spoil site. metropolis.
this community into the future. When you visit the island, which you can reach by For more information, or if there is any way I can assist
This also includes a commitment to preserving historical private boat, water taxi from Riviera Beach Marina or you, please contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at
sites, like those found on Peanut Island. Excavation perhaps by kayak from nearby Phil Foster Park on Blue mmarino@pbcgov.org.
performed in 1918 to create the Lake Worth Inlet resulted in
the formation of the island, which grew over time as a spoil
site. The dredging, which was vital to plans to support the
trade of peanut oil out of the port, led to its name. Now an
80-acre tropical park, Peanut Island is home to a former U.S.