Emergency Operations and Hurricane Preparedness

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Hurricane Preparedness & Storm Updates

Palm Beach State College keeps a close watch on Atlantic storm activity to help keep our students, faculty and staff safe. If a storm is expected to impact college operations, timely updates and important announcements will be shared as needed. To stay informed, you can also track all Atlantic tropical cyclones and disturbances by visiting the National Hurricane Center website.

Decision to Close the College

The decision to close will be based upon the projection of a threatening situation. Bulletins issued by the National Hurricane Center, the Palm Beach County Office of Emergency Management as well as the Palm Beach County School Board will be considered in determining the implementation of emergency procedures.

The President or Vice President of Finance & Administration may close the college in advance of a hurricane warning depending on local conditions, however, classes will be canceled once a hurricane warning has been issued for Palm Beach County by the National Hurricane Center. The college Centers for Early Learning will close upon the announcement of closure by the School Board. All facilities in the district will be closed upon announcement of the decision to close the college.

Once the order to close the college has been issued, the Facilities Department will install shutters, power down A/C units, place trash and paper bins inside, secure buildings, place sandbags, lock elevators and complete other duties related to storm preparation. Non-Facility personnel should no longer be present on the campus during this phase of preparation.

Hurricane Preparation

This Hurricane Preparedness Plan is in place to provide direction for those involved in preparation efforts. The plan is not all-inclusive, however, and may be supplemented by additional actions.

Post Storm Recovery

Authorized college personnel will conduct damage assessment and debris removal during the first daylight hours following the cessation of storm winds. Employees not authorized to be on the campus during this damage assessment should monitor local media sources for information about re-opening. Upon returning to the college, employees are to reverse preparations completed during the Hurricane Watch. Please report damage or requests for assistance to the Facilities Department.

Basic Hurricane Information

Hurricane season extends from June 1 through November 30. That is the period when climatic conditions are optimum for the formation and sustained movement of hurricane winds. The stages of hurricane announcements given by the National Hurricane Center are as follows:

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Tropical Storm / Hurricane Watch

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Tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible within the specified area.

Because outside preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

What You Should Do

During a watch, prepare your home and review your plan for evacuation in case a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning is issued. Listen closely to instructions from local officials.

Tropical Storm / Hurricane Warning 

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Tropical storm or hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area.

Because outside preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

What You Should Do

During a warning, complete storm preparations and immediately leave the threatened area if directed by local officials.

Extreme Wind Warning

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Extreme sustained winds of a major hurricane (115 mph or greater), usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to begin within an hour.

What You Should Do

Take immediate shelter in the interior portion of a well-built structure.

Important Links & Pre- and Post-Storm Forms

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• Palm Beach County Hurricane Preparedness
• Official Palm Beach County Hurricane Planning Guide
• CDC Hurricane Awareness - Preparedness and Response
• Florida Department of Emergency Management

 

Pre-storm and post-storm forms by campus:

• Belle Glade campus - All Forms
• Boca Raton campus - All Forms
• Lake Worth campus (including Historical Building) - Forms 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 5A, 5B, 6, & 7
• Lake Worth campus (Buildings AD100 - ETD301) - Form 4
• Lake Worth campus - (Buildings FAC100 - VL107) - Form 4
• Lake Worth campus - CBP Building - Form 4
• Loxahatchee Groves campus - All Forms
• Palm Beach Gardens campus - All Forms

 

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Emergency Response Quick Guide

Learn when to evacuate, shelter-in-place or lock down.

 

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Emergency Operations Plan

 

Emergencies can occur at any time, without warning. Careful planning, with an emphasis on safety, can enable members of the Palm Beach State College community to respond appropriately to crises and emergencies and may prevent injury and save lives. Every member of the College community is responsible for emergency preparedness. 

*Internal Use Only - PBSC credentials needed to view

Emergency Operations Plan

 

 

Section content is outlined below:

Emergency Procedures