Hurricane: When to Evacuate

You should evacuate to avoid high water, not wind. Ninety percent of the people who lose their life in a hurricane lose it because of storm surge. If you live in a mobile home or manufactured home, you should always leave when an evacuation order is given, regardless of how far you are from the coast. Staying tuned to the radio or television for an evacuation order is crucial. Be familiar with the hurricane evacuation map for your area. These typically can be obtained free at public libraries, fire stations and post offices. Also, the map is printed in most telephone books, in the front of the white or Yellow Pages. Those of you living in high-risk areas and mobile homes should consider leaving even before an order is given. This will help you avoid congested highways and make it easier to find an inland hotel. If you don’t live in an area facing storm surge, and you don’t live in a mobile or manufactured home, chances are you can ride out the storm at home. It can be a tough decision to make, but if you live in a well constructed house and have covers for the windows, and you are not in the storm surge, you should stay there. Many others may be fleeing the storm and you might just get caught in your car, in traffic and without a place to stay.

• Stay tuned to a radio or TV for directions and hurricane info.
• Don’t wait till freeways are congested to evacuate.
• Evacuate early.
• Never try to out run a hurricane.