Palm Beach County Continues Activities to Respond to the Impact of Tropical Storm Isaac Flooding

For immediate release: 7:00 p.m. August 31, 2012
Contact: Public Affairs 561-662-7549

Dozens of Palm Beach County Departments continue to work around the clock in response to Tropical Storm Isaac. Employees from these departments have worked in the field, county offices and the Emergency Operations Center. Partners in the response efforts include the State of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, South Florida Water Management District, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Health, Department of Environmental Protection, The Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Division of Forestry, The Disaster Recovery Coalition, The South Florida Fair, and others.

Below is a summary of the response efforts and facts about current operations in the County:

• The Emergency Operations Center remains at Level 2 activation.
  
  
• Emergency managers once again this morning viewed the impacted areas by helicopter. Water is moving, pumps are working, canals are intact, and there are no breaches in levees or dikes. Another flight is planned for Saturday.

• The Palm Beach County Health Department is continuing to work with the county to address concerns with public health issues. Aerial spraying will begin tonight (Friday).

• Reconnaissance teams led by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission expanded their mission and continued assessing the flooded areas. These crews are making second visits to some homes and assisting with supplies of food, water and animal feed. Approximately 45 units capable of operating in flood areas have been deployed for this house-by-house effort. Over 2,500 contacts have been made with residents.

• Emergency managers are continuing to coordinate closely with the Florida Division of Emergency Management as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

• Over 350 missions and/or resource requests have been completed by EOC staff in combination with crews in the field.

• The County’s Emergency Information Center activated on 8/26/12 and remains operational having responded to over 3,000 calls. These calls consist of everything from flood damage reporting to animal or food concerns. These call takers have the latest information available from Palm Beach County.
  
  
• Palm Beach County has distributed over 8000 bottles of water and 1,400 meals.
  
• The Red Cross, as of today, has distributed 1006 clean up kits, 96 comfort kits, 4,254 meals, 7,817 snacks and 3,104 bulk items. The Salvation Army is also distributing meals and snack, current figures are unavailable.