Hurricane season runs to Nov. 30. Wellington's storm call center: 561-791-4000. Zones, shelters, alerts, horse plans and Florida's year-round tax-free supplies.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Facts come from the Village of Wellington’s hurricane preparedness, storm resources, debris and equestrian hurricane pages, Palm Beach County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Revenue. Live June 1 to Nov. 30.

Hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30. Wellington sits inland, but storms still reach it: on Oct. 9, 2024, a tornado from Hurricane Milton tore through the village, and the National Weather Service rated the damage on Deer Path Lane EF3. Know your zone, register for alerts and have three days of supplies 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 and drainage. Type your address into the county’s Know Your Zone lookup to see both, or check the county’s evacuation zone maps (PDF). Evacuation orders come from the county; follow AlertPBC. For flood risk, Wellington publishes its own floodplain and flood map page.

Before the storm

From the village’s preparedness page:

  • Make a plan that everyone in the house understands, with a family communication plan.
  • Stock at least 72 hours of food, water and medicine for every person and pet.
  • Trim trees early. The village asks residents to finish major tree cutting before April 30. Once a storm is named, do not cut trees, start construction or clean out the garage. Garbage trucks cannot be on the road in sustained winds above 35 mph, the village says.
  • Check your insurance and its exclusions.
  • Secure or bring in your garbage containers before the storm arrives.

Horses and barns

Wellington publishes an equestrian hurricane page for horse owners. Its main points:

  • A negative Coggins test is needed to take a horse to a community shelter or across the state line, and a health certificate to cross the state line.
  • Evacuate at least 48 hours before hurricane-force winds; hauling horses in gusts over 40 mph is dangerous.
  • Store 12 to 20 gallons of water per horse per day and at least 72 hours of feed and hay (seven days is best).
  • Label every horse: a halter tag, a waterproof tail tag with your phone number and photos showing markings.
  • Keep horses out of pastures with power lines, barbed wire or electric fencing.

Shelters

Palm Beach County runs several emergency shelters, including two special needs shelters and one pet shelter, according to the village’s shelter page. Which ones open depends on the storm, so check the county’s shelters page first.

  • Special medical needs: you must register in advance at 561-712-6400 or through the county’s Special Needs Shelter Program.
  • Pets: the county’s pet-friendly shelter, inside the West Boynton Recreation Center at 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth, is only for residents of a mandatory evacuation zone, a mobile home or substandard housing, with proof of residency. Owners stay at the general shelter at Park Vista High School next door. Horses and other livestock are not accepted, so horse owners need their own plan.
  • What shelters offer: the county calls them a last resort. They provide simple meals and basic first aid; cots and medical care are not provided.

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

Sandbags

Neither the village’s nor the county’s hurricane pages list a sandbag giveaway this season. Watch the village’s storm resources page and AlertWellington before a storm.

After the storm

The village asks residents to stay off the roads so crews can clear them, photograph damage and use extreme care with chain saws and generators, watching for carbon monoxide from your own or a neighbor’s generator.

For debris, the village’s debris page says:

  • Keep household garbage, recycling, vegetation and construction debris in separate piles, clear of power lines, trees, water meters, mailboxes and hydrants, and never in the road.
  • Solid Waste Authority crews remove storm debris, often in several passes over weeks or months.
  • The village does not cut or move fallen trees on private property; that is up to the homeowner or the HOA.

What this means for you

  • Look up your zone today and save the result.
  • Register for AlertWellington and AlertPBC.
  • Horse owners: get Coggins papers in order now, not when the cone is drawn.
  • Stock up on batteries, tarps and a generator any time; there is no sales tax to wait out.

Related: power outages, trash and recycling and who to call at Village Hall.

Frequently asked questions

Is Wellington in a hurricane evacuation zone?

Check your address in Palm Beach County’s Know Your Zone lookup, which shows both your evacuation zone and your flood zone. Evacuation orders come from the county.

Where are the hurricane shelters near Wellington?

Palm Beach County and the School District open shelters in schools depending on the storm. Check the county’s shelters page before you go; special needs shelters require registration at 561-712-6400.

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.

What number do I call in Wellington during a hurricane?

The village’s storm call center, 561-791-4000 or 561-363-7905, opens during storm events. Sign up for AlertWellington and AlertPBC for alerts.

When does hurricane season end?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30.