Eye on the Tropics

Evacuation: Decide early whether to leave

You must evacuate if you live on a barrier island, in a low-lying area or in a mobile home.

Otherwise, your first choice should be to stay put.

If a major storm threatens South Florida, it could take up to 99 hours to get everyone out, studies show.

That’s more than four days for perhaps millions of evacuees from Miami-Dade and Broward counties to go through Palm Beach County and northward. But authorities typically don’t know a storm’s power or direction that far in advance.

Four days before landfall, Hurricane Andrew was an ill-defined, weak storm far out at sea. Emergency managers don’t want motorists stalled in bumper-to-bumper traffic as the hurricane comes ashore.

You should not stay home if you live in an evacuation area.

IF YOU STAY HOME

  • Make sure your home is as reinforced as possible.
  • Consider the house's condition and whether your family is healthy enough.

IF YOU STAY WITH FRIENDS, RELATIVES

  • Make arrangements far in advance. Check again as the storm approaches to make sure your hosts aren't on vacation or renovating.
  • Take same things that you'd take to an emergency shelter.

IF YOU USE A SHELTER

  • Shelters should be used only if you're ordered to evacuate and have nowhere else to go.
  • If you need transportation or special help, make arrangements now.

IF YOU LEAVE THE REGION

  • Decide your destination and get a hotel room before you go. Rooms fill quickly.
  • Flying may not be an option. Airports will close well in advance of the storm.
  • Trains will fill quickly and will stop running once conditions deteriorate.
  • Check your car. Fill tank, check tires, fluids and brakes. Get a current map of backup routes.
  • Leave early.
  • If roads are already jammed, go back home or to a shelter. If the storm is 24 hours from landfall or closer, it's too late to try to leave town.
  • Tell someone where you are going. Leave a phone number.

Cox Media Group

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