​Palm BeachCounty Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management officials continue to actively monitor Major Hurricane Milton and its progress towards the Florida's West Coast. Palm Beach County is currently under a Flood Watch until Thursday at 8 am and a Tropical Storm Watch until further notice. As of 9 A.M. Monday the county is under a State of Emergency. The EOC is at a Level III, which is enhanced monitoring. Palm Beach County offices will remain open for business on Tuesday.

The Florida Department of Health is working with emergency managers statewide to prepare for any impacts to communities and reminds Floridians to have enough of their prescriptions on hand in the event pharmacies are temporarily unavailable. Under a state of emergency, Floridians are permitted to receive early prescription refills. An early refill may include controlled substances as long as the medical drug is not listed in Schedule II appearing in Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act. This includes most prescription pain killers.

The Coast Guard has advised areas in Palm Beach County to place bridges in a locked down position at Noon on Tuesday. Waterway traffic will be restricted.

Flooding in urban and low-lying areas is possible depending on rainfall amounts, but that could change if the storm's actual track moves south. Palm Beach County is working with the South Florida Water Management District and local water control districts to minimize the effect of localized flooding. It is the peak of hurricane season and Palm Beach County wants to remind residents to be prepared.

What Actions Should You Take To Be Prepared?

• Have a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio and battery backup to receive important weather and other emergency-related warnings.
• Build a disaster supply kit and have a family and/or business plan. Remember to also have a plan for pets.
• Locate or build a Safe Room in the interior of your home or business that can help provide protection for you and your family or your employees. This room should be located away from all windows and exterior walls and doors.
• Determine if your home is in a storm surge evacuation zone. If so, learn what needs to be done if you evacuate or stay when a storm is moving toward your area.
• Learn how to prepare your home from wind damage before a storm threatens your area.
• Make sure that all other aspects of your home are as protected from hurricanes as possible.
• ALERTPBC is Palm Beach County's Emergency Notification System allowing you to opt in to receive notifications via phone calls, text messaging, email, and more based on locations you care about. Sign up at www.alertpbc.com.

  For continuing information on Major Hurricane Milton, and for more information on the Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management and hurricane preparedness, please visit: www.pbcgov.com/hurricane, follow us on X @PBCDEM and watch PBC-TV Channel 20.