During the Storm

Are you PSL prepared?

Hurricanes are dangerous and can cause major damage because of storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. They can happen along any U.S. coast or in any territory in the Atlantic or Pacific oceans.

Evacuate or Stay?

Most emergency managers agree that if you are in a well-built home and not in an evacuation zone the best option is often to secure your residence and ride out the storm there.

When is it time to evacuate?

When local Emergency Management officials in your local Emergency Operations Center give notification that conditions have escalated and it is time to evacuate particular areas.

How will you know?

  • Register for Alert St. Lucie and get notifications
  • NOAA weather and all-hazards radio
  • Local radio and TV stations
  • Police patrol cars with their "public announcement" systems
  • City and county webpages
  • Your neighbors

Reminder: Only stay at home if you have NOT been ordered to leave. If you have been told to leave, do so immediately.

In Port St. Lucie, certain sections of Westmoreland Boulevard, Morningside Boulevard, Ballantrae and Tesoro are prone to flooding from a storm surge and residents in these areas need to have a well thought out evacuation plan. Remember, flooding from a storm surge is caused by heavy rainfall as well as wind and can occur several miles inland from the coast.

If you plan to evacuate heavy traffic will add several hours to your travel time. Be sure to leave early so you don't become trapped in your car as the storm approaches. Prepare an evacuation kit early and have it ready for when you need it. Fill your fuel tanks before you evacuate.

You may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane. Learn your evacuation routes(PDF, 2MB), practice with household, pets, and identify where you will stay.

During an Evacuation

  • Download the FEMA app for a list of open shelters during an active disaster in your local area.
  • Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local evacuation instructions.
  • Take your emergency supply kit.
  • Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
  • Take your pets with you but understand that only service animals may be allowed in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency now.
  • If time allows:
  • Call or email the out-of-state contact in your family communications plan. Tell them where you are going.
  • Secure your home by closing and locking doors and windows.
  • Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding. If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.
  • Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
  • Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a hat.
  • Check with neighbors who may need a ride.
  • Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts, they may be blocked.
  • Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas.

Going to a Public Shelter

Residents who live in mobile homes or in a storm surge area should always evacuate to a public shelter or stay with relatives or friends. If you are concerned with the structural integrity of your house, then you should evacuate or seek public shelter.

  • Check with local officials about what shelter spaces are available or visit St. Lucie County's website for the most up to date information.
  • Be prepared to take cleaning items with you like soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes or general household cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces.

Search for open shelters by texting SHELTER and a ZIP code to 43362.

Example: Shelter 01234 (standard rates apply).

If you are elderly or have special needs or health concerns, then you should also evacuate. The only Special Needs Shelter for Port St. Lucie residents is located at the Fenn Center in Fort Pierce, and you need to pre-register with St. Lucie County Department of Health, preferably before hurricane season begins.

Sheltering in Place

Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, where you work or other location when other emergencies arise. In all cases, it is important that you stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities.

I'm staying, now what?

  • Fill sterilized containers with water for a 1 week supply of drinking water
  • Turn refrigerator and freezers to maximum cold and open only when necessary
  • Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities
  • Stay inside a well-constructed building
  • Stay away from windows and doors, even if they are covered
  • Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway
  • Take a battery powered radio and a flashlight with you
  • Close all interior doors
  • Secure and brace exterior doors, particularly double inward opening doors and garage doors
  • If you are in a two-story house, go to an interior first floor room, such as bathroom, closet or under the stairs
  • Keep a full tank of gas
  • Be alert for tornadoes which often are spawned by hurricanes
  • If the eye of the hurricane passes over your area be aware that the improved weather conditions are temporary and that the storm conditions will return with the winds coming from the opposite direction sometimes in a matter of just a few minutes
  • If you are in a multiple story building and away from the water, go to the first or second floor and take refuge in the halls or other interior rooms away from windows (interior stairwells and areas around elevator shafts are generally the strongest part of the building)

Secure Your Home

Prepare Your Home

In the event of damaging winds, storm surge and flooding, know how to secure your home.

The Do's:

  1. Clear your yard. Make sure there's nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home. Move bikes, lawn furniture, grills, propane tanks, and building material inside or under shelter.
  2. Cover up windows and doors. Use storm shutters or nail pieces of plywood to the outside window frames to protect your windows. This can help keep you safe from pieces of shattered glass and flying debris.
  3. Be ready to turn off your power. If you see flooding, downed power lines, or you have to leave your home, switch your power off.
  4. Fill clean water containers with drinking water. You'll want to do this in case you lose your water supply during the storm.
  5. Check your smoke alarm batteries for efficiency
  6. Check your carbon monoxide (CO) detector's battery to prevent CO poisoning

The Don'ts:

  1. DON'T ignore the WARNINGS from your local officials
  2. DON'T run generators inside your home
  3. DON'T drink tap water if local officials deem it to be unsafe until it has been boiled
  4. DON'T venture outside during the passing of the storm
  5. DON'T stand near unprotected windows
  6. DON'T leave windows cracked to ease wind pressure inside your home

Your Water Service

Avoid the long lines to purchase water and save money too by filling up containers with your tap water. Our water is treated by reverse osmosis and purified with minerals, like many bottled waters on the market.

Our water plants operate and deliver water to your home at 60 to 80 psi. If distribution system pressure drops below 20 psi during a storm, a precautionary boil water notice is issued. A drop in water pressure may be caused by a line break, equipment failure, or generator failure.

Staff makes every effort to reduce the possibility of a drop in pressure. However, in the event there is a drop in pressure and precautionary boil water notice is issued, our water customers will be notified.

Self-serve emergency water supply depots will be made available to residents who may not have access to water during a storm.

Learn more about Utility Systems Storm Preparation & Recovery.

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