The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Your West Palm Beach City staff trains and is prepared should a storm threaten or land in our community. The National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service are predicting 12 names storms this year. We recommend all residents plan and prepare for advancing storms; and, stay informed during a storm.
The City will have key personnel in place after a storm for your safety. West Palm Beach Public Works, Public Utilities, Police and Fire crews responded in 2022 when Hurricane Ian ravaged Southwest Florida communities. They experienced first-hand what it takes to help communities in the aftermath of a storm.
The City learned from that experience and began an annual simulation drill to give City crews hands-on training in dealing with massive amount of debris that could inundate the City in the aftermath of a hurricane. On Thursday, May 14, 2026, West Palm Beach held the simulation to test our team of professionals on clearing streets, rescuing trapped residents and handling irate residents (actors). This realistic drill in the aftermath of the fictional Hurricane Gordon, involved West Palm Beach Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Public Utilities and Fire Rescue crews working in shifts to clear debris and check cars covered in rubble to see if anyone was trapped. These drills ensure City staff is ready to respond to the needs of our residents.
West Palm Beach Fire Assistant Chief Brent Bloomfield, the City's Emergency Operations Chief, commented:
“The hardest part is once the storm clears going out and seeing what the damage actually is. Our first mission is to help the citizens and life safety. Life safety is always number one, helping the citizens and property conservation comes in after that.”
Exercises like this, ensure the City is ready to provide the best, safest and quickest response in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Crews analyze the debris field for trapped victims or hazards prior to beginning the cleanup.
A tractor is used to clear debris and allow rescue crews in.
A resident (actor) tries to get past a cleanup crew member and look for lost jewelry
Sawdust flys as a crew member cuts through a fallen tree trunk
Assistant Fire Chief Brent Bloomfield explains the operation to the media.
Every move is tracked and evaluated by a team of experts
A cleanup crew member takes a tumble while navigating the debris field
Firefighter Michael Beets discovers a car buried in storm debris.
Firefighter Joshua Forbes climbs into the vehicle to check victim and secure the car prior to extrication efforts.
Citizen journalists (actors) get in the way as firefighters work on the car.
Firefighters cut the roof of the vehicle to remove a victim.
Firefighters remove the roof of the car to extricate the trapped victim.