By Mayor Michael Napoleone
As we continue to recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Milton and the tornado that touched down in our community on October 9th, I am reminded of how resilient and compassionate our Village is. The storm and tornado brought severe damage to neighborhoods, including Rustic Ranches, Meadow Wood, Aero Club, Lakefield West and the Binks Forest communities. Homes were damaged (some severely), personal property was destroyed, trees were uprooted and snapped, and power lines were knocked downed. Despite this, we are fortunate that there were no fatalities, and miraculously only a few residents sustained injuries.
Our recovery efforts began swiftly, with the Wellington Public Works team leaping into action immediately after the tornado passed to clear roadways and remove debris from impacted areas. Our partners at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue were also on the scene right away to assist in these efforts. I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Public Works crews, PBSO officers, and Fire Rescue teams who have worked tirelessly day and night to restore normalcy and help keep our neighborhoods secure. Their commitment and dedication have been extraordinary.
From tragedy, we saw unity. One of the most inspiring aspects of this recovery has been the way our community came together and helped those in need. Not only were neighbors out to assist neighbors right after the tornado and while many were still preparing for what impacts Hurricane Milton might bring, that same evening the Village was inundated with calls and emails from residents eager to help. Volunteers from organizations like the Wellington Rotary Club, Christ Fellowship Church, St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, and the Crowned Pearls of Wellington stepped forward, offering their time and energy to assist with cleanup efforts. It’s moments like these that showcase the true spirit of Wellington – a community that rallies together in times of need.
Our debris collection efforts are ongoing and we’re doing everything we can to expedite the process. With more resources and equipment deployed daily, we’ve already collected many thousands of cubic yards of vegetation and building debris. We know it’s a big job, and we appreciate your continued patience as we work through each neighborhood. Our teams can pick up and remove debris more quickly if you are able to separate your vegetative waste from any other materials.
In addition to physical recovery, we know that emotional recovery may take longer. We are committed to helping our residents heal, and part of that commitment includes making the rebuilding process as smooth as possible. To assist residents with post-disaster rebuilding, we’ve set up a dedicated station at our Building Department for permit processing. We are expediting permit issuance for repairs that don’t require technical review and waiving permit fees for reroofs and other necessary repairs. There’s minimal wait time for these services, and we have staff on hand to answer any questions you might have.
We’ve also partnered with the Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Division of Emergency Management to establish a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) at Village Park. The MARC is open daily and offers storm recovery services, including assistance with FEMA applications, nonprofit aid, and even help with replacing lost identification. More information is available on the Village website.
While recovery efforts continue, we encourage our residents to also take part in the many fun, family-friendly events happening in Wellington this fall. The Lakeside Market at Wellington Town Center has moved to its new location near the Amphitheater, and we’ll continue to host our popular music and food truck series there each week. The Murder Mystery Dinner Theater is back again, promising an evening of mystery and entertainment, and we’re excited for the Wellington Ruck March & Food Drive coming up soon. Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/events for a full list of upcoming activities. I invite everyone to join us for these events as we celebrate the fall season and the sense of community that makes Wellington such a special place to call home.
As always, thank you for your support, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to making Wellington a wonderful place to live. Together, we will continue to rebuild and recover – stronger than ever.
Stay safe and see you around the Village!
