Our Village Voice VOL. 36 NO. 7
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Northern Notes Family Communication During And After Disasters By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will stay in touch with one another. Think about how you will communicate in different situations. Consider the following questions when making a plan. • How will my family or household receive emergency alerts and warnings? • How will my family or household get to safe locations in the event of relevant emergencies? • How will my family or household get in touch if cell phone, Internet, or landline service doesn’t work? • How will I let loved ones know I am safe? • How will my family or household get to a meeting place after the emergency?
Complete a contact card for each adult family member and print them out. Have them keep these cards handy in a wallet, purse, backpack, or other convenient location— a d d i t i o n a l l y, c o m p l e t e contact cards for each child in your family. Put the cards in their backpacks or book bags. Information should include contact details for family, friends, and neighbors, as well as doctors and school information. You can find an example of an emergency contact card on redcross.org. Identify a contact, such as a friend or relative, who lives out of state for household members to notify if they are safe. An out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Technology has made it easier than ever to prepare for emergencies. Still, it can be unreliable in an emergency if you haven’t kept your gadgets protected and powered up. Here are some tips to make sure you are tech-ready. Be Informed • Download the FEMA app. Get weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. Northern Notes on page 2
Commissioner’s Update Hurricane Season In Palm Beach County: Prepare Now To Stay Safe By Mayor Maria G. Marino Palm Beach County has a long history of severe weather, including hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning storms, flooding, droughts, and wildfires. Frances, Jeanne, Wilma, Fay, Matthew, Irma, and more recently, Helene and Milton, have all left their mark on our community. These events underscore the importance of being ready and resilient. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30. While we all hope South Florida will be spared, it’s essential that every resident takes time to prepare—by reviewing evacuation plans, securing their homes, and gathering necessary supplies. Familiarity with
severe weather is part of life in Palm Beach County, but preparation can reduce disruptions and speed up recovery. The Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management provides a range of resources to help you get ready. One of the best tools is the Official Palm Beach County Hurricane Planning Guide, available at https:// discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/PDF/Hurricane-Guide.pdf. It includes checklists, evacuation zone information, shelter options, and guidance on home preparation. If you need a printed copy, call the Emergency Information Center at (561) 712-6400 or contact our office. Start by building an emergency supply kit. Stock several days’ worth of nonperishable food and water, first aid items, hygiene products, prescription medications (including a way to keep refrigerated medications cold, such as ice packs or a cooler), paper goods, flashlights with extra batteries, tools, cleaning supplies, and a waterproof container for important documents. Use tap water in reusable containers instead of buying bottled water—this is both cost-effective and environmentally-friendly. Don’t forget your pets; they need supplies too. If you have a generator, test it now and ensure you have fuel. Keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full throughout Commissioner’s Update on page 2
JULY 2025
Bill’s Box By Bill Thompson A Date To Remember Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. This year’s hurricane season is June 1 to November 30. It’s here. Time to get prepared. Oaks need to be trimmed to allow high wind to pass through with less damage. Use a firm with an arborist on the team. The specialist will not butcher your trees and do harm to healthy trees. The Town of Jupiter website can provide a varied list of links to address all your questions. Alligator Season For Us A general rule for the season is April through early September, which comprises courting, breeding, eggs laid in nests and the birth of 32 to 40 eggs per nest. Alligators are highly aggressive during this span of time. They are most active when temperatures are between 82 and 92 degrees. It is critical to know gators can move out of water and onto land at a surprising speed. They can also run faster than people. Due to the surprising sneak attacks, older less agile walkers, children, and pets are in dire danger of being attacked. None of the potential victims are trained to wrestle alligators. Children, even adults not paying attention, can be in the gator’s jaws in an instant. For those of us who have lived in South Florida a long time should know all this. It is up to we “veterans” to educate newcomers, especially our Shores friends and neighbors. Where Did Everyone Go? The summer seems to be a psychic signal to travel to other parts. I understand the urge to ramble, but the Bill’s Box on page 4
June 15
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY TO THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT
(561) 799-4445
Use 911 for emergencies only. Lock car doors. Do not leave valuables in the car.