Evacuating during a hurricane is almost always going to be a
messy affair, especially if that hurricane is likely to make landfall in a
densely populated area. An evacuation order, even if it comes far ahead of a
hurricane making landfall, can still cause chaos. So what is the most efficient
way to evacuate this busy, crowded situation?
First off, keep a close eye on the forecast. Even if you
haven’t been issued an evacuation order yet, this doesn’t mean you won’t get
one later. You should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Prepare an
emergency kit before you do anything else. This should hold cash, prescription
medication, food, and bottled water. Only after this is completed should you
start gathering other possessions, such as valuables or important documents.
Bring legal papers, passports, and any other essential documentation with you.
If your home floods this stuff could be easily destroyed. If there are
valuables you want to save but cannot bring with you, store them in the highest
point of your home.
If you have time before evacuating, please move chemicals,
electronics, and sharp objects to a higher place. Flood waters can easily drag
dangerous objects and chemicals into the water, and this debris can cause a lot
of problems. But please, only do this if you have the time to do so before you
leave. The same goes for boarding up windows; only do so if you have enough
time before evacuating.
Make sure you and your family members have a meeting point.
Cell phones may not work or some people may forget their phones or run out of
battery power. Have a plan to check in on social media too if possible. Having
a meeting place will make evacuation faster and much easier.
The most important tip we can give you is do not wait. In the event of an
evacuation, thousands of people will all be trying to get out of the path of
the storm. Time is extremely important, and it is never too early to get out.
Waiting until the last minute is extremely dangerous. You could end up trapped
in your vehicle during the storm, or may lose your chance to evacuate at all.
If you are a senior citizen, pregnant, or disabled, you should leave even
sooner. Getting around when confined to a wheelchair will be more difficult
than normal, so leave as soon as you can.
If you will be evacuating but won’t be able to stay in a
hotel or with friends and family, make plans to get to a shelter now. This is
particularly true if you do not have access to a vehicle. Do not wait. Get in
contact with others in your community or local officials to find a way to get
to safety.
Roads are going to be extremely busy, so make sure you get
gas beforehand. Do not rely on GPS, but instead follow evacuation routes. You
do not have to get out of the state, you simply have to get away from the main
areas of danger. While no part of Florida is safe from the storm, trying to
drive out of the state may prove to be impossible. What is most important is to
get away from the coasts and low-lying areas. Because the path of the storm is
not yet fully determined, head north. You cannot evacuate to the Gulf coast. Please
do not attempt to leave the state, as this just causes additional traffic
problems.
If you have mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders, please
do not wait and leave now. It is not worth your life to try and ride out such a
dangerous storm. By tomorrow it will likely be too late to evacuate. Emergency
services will not be able to respond to calls during the duration of Hurricane
Irma. Don’t take the risk; heed evacuation orders as soon as you can.
