(CBS 12)
Palm Beach County officials held an update on Tuesday on actions being taken to protect the community regarding Hurricane Milton.
Mayor Maria Sachs was joined by Emergency Manager Mary Blakeney and County Administrator Verdenia Baker.
The Palm Beach County area should expect Tropical Storm force winds are expected Wednesday evening through Thursday. Winds could reach 30-40 mph, with occasional gusts of 50-60 mph.
"We in Palm Beach County must take this storm seriously. We are now in a tropical storm warning with a flood watch," said Mayor Sachs. "Now is the time to have your storm preparations done."
The EOC is at Level II, which means partial activation has occurred and preparations are underway for a significant threat or a minor disaster.
Evacuations are being issued for residents in Zone A, and residents who live in a manufactured home/mobile home, have substandard construction, or live in a flood-prone area.
Officials said Palm Beach County offices will remain open for business on Tuesday, but at noon on Wednesday, county operations will close. This includes:
County parks
Beaches
Libraries
Palm Tran service
Senior activities
All Palm Beach County courthouses will be closed Wednesday and Thursday for Milton impacts and Friday for Yom Kippur. County officials said All SWA disposal facilities to close and no waste collection service in unincorporated PBC on Thursday. Also, bridges will be in a locked-down position.
Additionally, the School District of Palm Beach County said schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. All services are expected to reopen on Friday, unless conditions change. The following schools will be used as general shelters:
Palm Beach Gardens High School
Palm Beach Central High School
Forest Hill High School
Park Vista High School
Lake Shore Middle School
Five general population shelters, the pet-friendly shelter, and the special needs shelter will open on Wednesday.
County officials said winds will impact fire rescue services and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue has positioned its High Water command vehicles, Flood and Swift Water teams in case of an emergency.
If you have any storm-related questions, the Emergency Information Center is accepting calls at 561-712-6400.