City of West Palm Beach to hold important hurricane recovery training exercise on May 15 to ensure preparedness for the upcoming storm season

West Palm Beach, Florida – The City of West Palm Beach is preparing for the upcoming hurricane season with a critical training exercise set for Thursday, May 15, 2025. The Hurricane Recovery Training Exercise, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., will be held between the 2400 and 2500 blocks of Ponce De Leon Avenue, located between Bethesda Terrace and 26th Street in West Palm Beach.

The exercise is a key annual event aimed at ensuring that the City’s Public Works, Public Utilities, and Fire Department are well-prepared for the challenges posed by a hurricane. In the face of unpredictable storm damage, this training focuses on ensuring that city crews are ready to handle everything from tree and debris removal to dealing with flooding, downed electrical lines, and other unforeseen issues that often arise in the aftermath of a hurricane.

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“The intensity and complexity of hurricane recovery efforts require careful coordination and preparation,” said city officials. “This exercise is a vital part of our annual readiness plan, testing our teams’ ability to respond efficiently and effectively in the event of a storm.”

During the training, various scenarios will be simulated, including debris removal and managing storm-related obstacles. Crews will be working in a controlled environment to fine-tune their techniques and enhance their response time. The exercise offers an invaluable opportunity for city departments to collaborate and ensure that staff are fully trained for the challenges they may face when a storm strikes.

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For those interested in observing or reporting on the event, media opportunities will be available, including visuals of the recovery crews at work during different debris removal scenarios. Interviews with the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staff and recovery crews will also be conducted to provide insights into the preparations and planning required to manage the aftermath of a hurricane.

With hurricane season fast approaching, this training serves as a critical step in West Palm Beach’s efforts to safeguard the community and streamline recovery processes.