Hurricane season runs to Nov. 30. Find your Palm Beach County evacuation zone, shelters and tax-free supplies. Boynton Beach storm hotline: 561-742-6921.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Boynton Beach’s Emergency Preparedness and Hurricane Preparedness pages and Palm Beach County Emergency Management. Live June 1 to Nov. 30.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30, so there are still weeks left this year. Boynton Beach sits on the Intracoastal Waterway, a short way from the Atlantic, and both storm surge and rain flooding are risks. The time to find your zone and build a kit is before a storm is named.

Who to call

Know your zone

Palm Beach County draws evacuation zones for storm surge and separate flood zones for rain, drainage and tides. Type your address into the county’s Know Your Zone lookup to see both. The county’s interactive evacuation tool also shows shelters, gas stations, grocery stores and building supply stores near you.

The city’s rule of thumb, from its hurricane preparedness page: if you are in an evacuation zone, a mobile home or an area that floods easily, you must evacuate when an order is given. People who are elderly, in poor health or have special needs are urged to go. A family or friend’s home or a hotel outside the zone is the best choice. Leave early, in daylight; roads and bridges fill quickly. Unplug appliances and turn off the power and the main water valve before you go.

Shelters

There are about 17 shelters in Palm Beach County, run by the county, and the county recommends sheltering in place at home or with friends if you can, the city says. Which shelters open, and when, depends on the storm; check the county’s shelters page before you go. Shelters give simple meals and basic first aid; cots and medical care are not provided. Bring water, medications, bedding, a folding chair, clothes, a flashlight and important documents. Firearms, alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

  • Pets: only service animals are allowed in general shelters. The county’s pet-friendly shelter is inside the West Boynton Recreation Center, 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth, for residents of a mandatory evacuation zone, a mobile home or substandard housing. Owners stay at the general shelter at Park Vista High School next door. Pre-register with Animal Care and Control.
  • Special medical needs: the county runs a Special Needs Shelter Program that requires registration in advance.

Supplies are tax-free all year

Florida no longer runs a hurricane sales tax holiday. Since Aug. 1, 2025, these items are always exempt from sales tax, according to the Florida Department of Revenue’s tax notice (PDF):

  • AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries
  • Portable generators up to 10,000 running watts
  • Portable gas or diesel cans of 5 gallons or less
  • Waterproof tarps of 1,000 square feet or less
  • Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
  • Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers

Build a kit

The city’s checklist starts with one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days and a three-day supply of nonperishable food. Add a battery or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio, flashlights and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape, garbage bags, a wrench to shut off utilities, a manual can opener, local maps, and a cellphone with chargers and a backup battery. Keep documents, insurance policies and medical records in a waterproof container.

Keep a generator outside, at least 20 feet from windows and doors, and never plug it into a wall outlet. Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before a storm.

Your yard and the trash schedule

The city asks residents to do major tree cutting between Dec. 1 and April 30. Once a storm is named, do not put vegetation or bulk trash at the curb; the city cannot promise pickup before landfall. This year’s vegetation amnesty week is Dec. 7-11. See our trash and recycling guide.

Sandbags

Neither the city’s nor the county’s hurricane pages list a sandbag giveaway. Home improvement stores sell them. Keep storm drains near your home clear, and report a blocked drain or flooding to Public Works at 561-742-6400.

After the storm

City updates go out through the newsletter and the city’s social media accounts, including any changes to trash pickup. Report downed signs, flooding and other problems through the city’s report and request page. Repairs to roofs, windows, doors, A/C and electrical service need a permit; see the city’s post-storm permitting page and our permits guide. For power, see our power outage guide.

What this means for you

  • Look up your zone today and save the result.
  • Sign up for both the city’s emergency notifications and AlertPBC.
  • Stock up on batteries, tarps and a generator any time; there is no sales tax to wait out.

Related: power outages, trash and bulk pickup and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my hurricane evacuation zone in Boynton Beach?

Type your address into Palm Beach County’s Know Your Zone lookup. Evacuation zones are about storm surge and are different from flood zones, which the same page also shows.

Do I have to evacuate Boynton Beach for a hurricane?

The city says that if you are in an evacuation zone, a mobile home or an area that floods easily, you must evacuate when an order is given. A friend’s home or hotel outside the zone is the best choice.

Is there a hurricane sales tax holiday in Florida?

Not anymore. Since Aug. 1, 2025, items such as portable generators up to 10,000 watts, AA to D batteries, tarps, gas cans and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are tax-free all year.

Where are hurricane shelters near Boynton Beach?

Palm Beach County runs about 17 shelters, mostly in schools, and which ones open depends on the storm. The pet-friendly shelter is at the West Boynton Recreation Center, next to the general shelter at Park Vista High School.

What number do I call for storm information in Boynton Beach?

The city’s Citizen Information Hotline, 561-742-6921, for non-emergency storm questions. Utilities after hours: 561-742-6430.