From the City of Lake Worth Beach

PRESS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT
City of Lake Worth Beach
7 North Dixie Highway
Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460
www.lakeworthbeachfl.gov

October 8, 2024

Proactively Preparing for the Effects of Hurricane Milton is the City of Lake Worth Beach's Top Priority

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Florida – The City of Lake Worth Beach is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents and employees in anticipation of storm effects from Hurricane Milton which will be making landfall on the west coast of Florida this week. City departments are implementing a series of actions aimed at mitigating the potential impacts of the severe weather.

As a safety measure for employees, the City of Lake Worth Beach will be closing their public offices, facilities and library on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10. All City meetings and programing have been canceled and will be rescheduled at a later date. The City expects to resume normal business hours on Friday, October 11.

The Lake Worth Beach Solid Waste and Recycling Division will temporarily suspend the collection of yard waste piles and garbage on Thursday, October 10, and remind residents not to place yard waste, tree trimmings or garbage on curbs as they can block drains which leads to flooding. The City anticipates resuming regularly scheduled service on Friday, October 11.

Residents can also download the Recycle Coach app to receive notifications regarding schedule changes.

The Water Utilities Department has been working overtime to conduct extra cleaning and clearing of storm drains in preparation for potential heavy rainfall. All lift stations are being continuously monitored remotely for power outages. Water Utilities crews will be on 24-hour coverage and are equipped with portable pumps and generators to ensure uninterrupted wastewater service.

Additionally, Electric Utilities crews will work diligently through the storm to make repairs and restore services to customers as conditions allow. The Utility Customer Service walk-in location at 120 North Federal Highway will be closed to the public throughout the storm. Utility Customer Service phone banks will remain in service as usual throughout the storm and customers are reminded that our electric outage management system will alert us electronically to service interruptions even if you don’t call us. If you’re experiencing an emergency such as life safety event or crime, please call 911.

Customers can also make reports of electric outages, wires down and damaged poles on-line using the following link - https://outage.lakeworthbeachfl.gov. Staff in the control room receives these reports at all times of the day and night within a few minutes and will prioritize the dispatching of crews to make repairs as conditions allow. Major electric outage locations will be updated periodically on the City website’s electric outage map -- https://wov.lakeworthbeachfl.gov.

As a precaution against anticipated high winds and heavy swells, the City closed the pier on Monday, October 7. City staff will evaluate any potential damage once the inclement weather has passed and will reopen the pier as soon as it is safe to do so.

In addition, the City is closing their beach and Casino Complex on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10, out of an abundance of caution in preparation for the effects of rain and wind from Hurricane Milton. All businesses and parking lots at the beach will be closed, and no lifeguards will be on duty.

City athletic facilities and fields along with the Lake Worth Beach Golf Course closed Monday, October 7, and will remain closed until after the storm has passed and the parks have been inspected to ensure the fields and golf course are free of debris and safe to use.

"We take these precautions to mitigate issues and ensuring the safety of our community before, during and after a storm," said Interim City Manager, Jamie Brown. "Residents should stay informed and take necessary precautions as the weather approaches."

As a reminder to residents, the City is currently under a Flood Watch through Thursday, October 10, which means conditions are favorable for flooding with the amount of anticipated rain. Residents should avoid areas knowns to flood and do not drive through flooded roadways.

Residents are encouraged to visit the City’s official website, lakeworthbeachfl.gov, and social media channels, @lakeworthbeachpbc, for updates and information on additional storm preparations. Residents can also report power outages and issues on the City's website or call (561) 586-1695.

Media contact: Rebecca Seelig; Public Information Officer; City of Lake Worth Beach
(561) 586-1631; rseelig@lakeworthbeachfl.gov