Local officials keeping an eye on Ian as threat to Palm Beach County appears to dim
Local officials were keeping a wary eye on Tropical Storm Ian on Sunday as the system's westward slide appeared to reduce the threat to Palm Beach County.
"The Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center is currently activated to a Level 3, which is enhanced monitoring," the county said in a statement Sunday. "Emergency Management staff will stay in contact with the National Weather Service and the Florida Division of Emergency Management and implement protective actions as conditions require."
As of the 5 p.m. advisory Sunday from the hurricane center, Ian was a 45-mph tropical storm 495 miles southeast of the western tip of Cuba. It was moving west-northwest at 12 mph. A tropical storm watch was issued Sunday evening for the lower Florida Keys.
Related: Tropical Storm Ian to be major hurricane but weaken before Florida landfall late in week
While county officials are keeping tabs on Ian, the Palm Beach County School District is, too.
The storm isn't expected to make landfall until midweek. Students won't be in school on Monday because it's a fall holiday, though district offices will be open.
Classes are expected to resume as usual Tuesday, and employees are to report as usual. County officials say that, even as Ian slides west, the storm could still bring challenging weather Tuesday.
"Possible threats to Palm Beach County on Tuesday include heavy rains, gusty winds and a risk of tornadoes," the county said in a statement. "Flooding in urban and low-lying areas is possible dependent on rainfall amounts. County staff has coordinated with South Florida Water Management District and all water control districts in preparation for potential flooding.
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"There is currently not a high risk of tropical storm force winds in Palm Beach County, but that could change if the actual track of the storm moves eastward," the county said.
The Water Management District announced that it will close all navigational locks starting Tuesday at 6 p.m., instead of Monday at the end of operating hours.
The locks are expected to reopen as "conditions warrant after the storm passes South Florida."
Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter @waynewashpbpost. Help support our work; subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: T.S. Ian threat lessens for PBC as the system slides west
