West Palm Beach commissioners voiced strong disappointment with the city’s flood response after historic rain caused widespread flooding throughout the community. Commissioner Christy Fox called the city’s empathy “pathetic,” and other members demanded answers about leadership, communication and future preparedness.
Commissioners question leadership and communication
Fox, along with Commissioners Cathleen Ward and Joe Peduzzi, told the commission that residents received too little information as water surged through streets and homes. Ward said, “We could’ve done a way better job of communication,” while Peduzzi added, “There was a significant void in leadership, with a mayor being on leave, the city administrator on leave, and a deputy city administrator who recently retired.”
Mayor James directed response from Barcelona
Mayor Keith James was in Barcelona, Spain, attending the Smart City Expo World Congress, where he spoke as West Palm Beach’s representative. Although physically absent, James asserted that he remained in charge of city operations and was in constant contact with staff. When pressed about who was in charge, James replied, “Me, as mayor of the city, I was in charge.” He also said staff provided commissioners with daily updates and that he did not know what additional information they needed.
Residents describe dire conditions
Commissioners highlighted vivid scenes shared by residents, including people using canoes in front of a Target store and streets still holding water days after the rain stopped. One resident testified, “It is not an acceptable situation. We are asking the city to take action,” drawing applause from the chamber.
Calls for an audit
Peduzzi, who chairs the city’s Audit Committee, announced plans for an internal audit to determine what went wrong during the emergency and how the city can avoid similar failures in the future. The proposed review will examine decision‑making, communication protocols and the coordination of emergency responders.
Mayor’s defense and next steps
James acknowledged that the city may have fallen short in showing empathy, but defended the actions of city employees and first‑responders who worked on the ground. He emphasized that the city’s strong‑mayor form of government gives him executive authority over operations, even when he is abroad.
The commission will continue to monitor the audit process and consider recommendations to improve flood preparedness, public messaging and leadership continuity during future disasters.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
