When a storm approaches, you need to be familiar with whether you’re in an evacuation zone and which exit routes are available to you and your loved ones. It’s peak hurricane season in Florida, after all – time to get your ducks in a row if you haven’t already! This blog aims to guide you through the process of determining whether your home is in an evacuation zone, understanding what the different zones mean, and how to plan your evacuation most effectively.
Deciding to Evacuate Is Difficult
We get it: Making the decision to leave your home can be extremely difficult. Even when you’re planning to evacuate with loved ones, pets, and emergency supplies, deciding to leave everything you own as a storm approaches can seem impossible to bear. And it’s not just your belongings – you’re leaving your home itself, which you’ve likely invested in quite a bit over the years.
You’re not alone. Almost half of the deaths caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012 were drownings – and they occurred in homes under mandatory evacuation orders. Subsequent studies have sought to identify how to get people to respond to emergency alerts such as evacuation orders. A study suggested official warnings are important, but whether people actually evacuate is based instead on their personal experience, what their neighbors are doing, and whether it’s affordable for them to leave. And yet, staying won’t save your home.
All the confusion during an emergency certainly doesn’t help. What follows below can help prepare you for a possible evacuation. This way, should it come to it, you’ll know what needs to be done so you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
Is Your Home in an Evacuation Zone?
Determining if your home is in an evacuation zone is the first critical step in hurricane preparedness. Florida's coastal counties have designated evacuation zones due to their higher risk, whereas most interior counties do not have such zones.
To find out if your home is in an evacuation zone, you can start by visiting the state Division of Emergency Management’s Know Your Zone, Know Your Home webpage. Go to the interactive map, where you enter your address to see if it falls within an evacuation zone. Is your home in an evacuation zone? Then click the “open layer list” icon at the right edge of the map – and make sure evacuation routes are visible – to see which designated evacuation routes out of the area may be available to you.
Remember, it’s essential to re-check your evacuation zone status every year. Evacuation zones can change based on new data and updated risk assessments. Factors like changes in storm patterns, rising sea levels, or new infrastructure and flood maps can shift the boundaries of these zones, making it crucial to stay informed and prepared.
Understanding Florida’s Evacuation Zones
Florida’s primary evacuation zones are designated as Zones A through F. The zones are based on the location’s likelihood of flooding due to storm surge. Indeed, storm surges pose the biggest threat to life and limb in a hurricane. The important thing to remember is Zone A is most vulnerable to a storm surge – usually because it’s closest to the water – so it tends to be the first zone considered for evacuation. Evacuation orders then tend to follow in order, with Zone B next, then Zone C, etc.
What if you’ve missed the news but think an evacuation order may have been issued for your area? Check the state’s online list of current evacuation orders for all Florida counties.
Still not sure whether to go or stay? A simple phrase to keep in mind is run from water, hide from wind. It’s an old saying but smart advice for anyone who finds themselves in Florida during hurricane season, which runs from June through November each year.
Identify Multiple Evacuation Routes
State-designated evacuation routes are designed to help those located in evacuation zones exit their communities prior to a storm. It’s always smart to have options, so make sure to identify multiple possible routes for you and your loved ones. Your primary route may become congested or blocked, and some of the roads may be more prone to flooding or damage than others, depending on the storm’s path.
To find your designated evacuation routes, visit the state Division of Emergency Management’s Disaster Preparedness Maps webpage. Choose your county to view its evacuation routes and zones. You could even print out a copy of the map to keep in your vehicle.
Designated evacuation routes are based on the latest evacuation studies for each county. It’s important to note some counties may not have designated evacuation zones. The key is to evacuate miles – not hundreds of miles. Also, avoid shortcuts; they may be blocked.
Evacuation orders are only issued if there is a serious threat to public safety. It can take days to evacuate Florida by car in the lead-up to a hurricane. Time is your friend; make sure to leave as early as possible if it’s your plan to evacuate. After all, there are currently more than 23 million people living in Florida – so, even if just a small percentage have to evacuate, it’s still an enormous number of people you can expect to be on Florida roadways.
Staying Informed is Key
As anyone who’s been through a hurricane can attest, getting current and accurate information is key. Here are some tips to ensure you remain updated so you can make informed decisions during an evacuation:
- Listen for evacuation information: Pay attention to local news, weather updates, and official announcements.
- Sign up for emergency alerts: Many cities and counties offer emergency alert systems providing real-time updates on evacuation orders and road conditions. In addition, these resources may be helpful:
- Sign up for statewide alerts from AlertFlorida.
- View www.FL511.com or download its app for real-time road closures and traffic conditions.
Do you need additional information to convince you evacuation is necessary? In the following video, Pinellas County dispels popular hurricane myths about the likely impact storms will have on the west coast of Florida – and the life-saving act of evacuation prior to a storm:
Before You Go: a Last-Minute Evacuation Checklist
Before you leave home, here are some last-minute things to check off your list to ensure your safety and security:
- Don’t forget your pets: Make arrangements for your pets to accompany you; if it’s not safe for you to stay – it’s not safe for them, either. Many hotel and travel websites and apps have filters to search specifically for pet-friendly accommodations. There are also sites dedicated to this type of search, such as BringFido, Petswelcome, and PetFriendlyTravel.
- Wear sturdy covered shoes and protective clothing: These can help protect you from debris and hazardous conditions during evacuation.
- Grab your go bag: Include essentials such as water, nonperishable food, medication, important documents, and a first-aid kit. Having a battery-operated or hand-crank radio can be especially helpful if cellular service is spotty or goes out entirely in certain areas.
- Unplug electrical equipment & turn off water: This can prevent damage and reduce risks from electrical fires or water leaks.
- Secure your home: Close and lock all windows and doors, and bring in or secure outdoor items to prevent them from becoming projectiles.
Be Ready to Evacuate If You Must
There are many reasons you may need to evacuate your home prior to – or even after – a hurricane or tropical storm. Your home may be located in the path of a potential storm surge, or simply be vulnerable to flooding and/or high winds.
Understanding Florida's evacuation zones and planning your exit routes are critical to ensuring your safety throughout hurricane season. Stay informed, be prepared, and review your evacuation plans annually.
Well in advance of an approaching storm, you should also contact your insurance agent to ensure you have sufficient protection for your home. If you’re not already insured by Edison Insurance Company, you can quickly and easily get your quote online now.
