Emergency managers could order evacuations for Hurricane Irma on Thursday. If so, they would do so by zone.
You need to know what zone you are in. To find that out, go to this link.
Managers stress that no one evacuates for wind. Evacuation zones are for the threat of flooding.
You should not stay home if you live in an evacuation area. But if you're not an evacuation zone, you become the problem. Emergency managers don't want motorists stalled in bumper-to-bumper traffic as the hurricane comes ashore.
A good rule of thumb is that if you’re not in an area prone to flooding, and if your home is safe, you should not evacuate.
HURRICANE IRMA: Get the latest news and information on the storm
In 2012, in the most sweeping redrawing of the county's evacuation plan in decades, emergency managers unveiled a new set of zones in which more than 100,000 people who previously would have been told to leave their homes in a hurricane now would not.
Emergency managers concede many people, for various reasons, don’t know, and often don’t try to find out, what zone, if any, they are in. As a result, thousands either leave when they should stay or stay when they should leave.
Get the latest forecast details on Hurricane Irma
Thousands will have to leave in any hurricane, even one at Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. They’re among those in the county’s tens of thousands of mobile homes and those in substandard structures, or in neighborhoods prone to intense flooding.
The old plan had only two levels.
The new system creates five plans, A through E. Emergency managers can make a call on which plan to implement.
They base their plan on factors besides storm strength: the storm’s angle and forward speed, its breadth, the projected time of landfall, tides, storm surge forecasts, whether the storm is expected to bring a lot of rain, whether the ground is saturated from previous rain, or whether buildings are still damaged from a previous storm.
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Emergency managers’ 2012 redrawing of zones acknowledged that they had for years reflected data drawn from outdated technology that forced managers to err on the side of caution. By redoing them, managers potentially realize huge savings, both of money and stress. It’s been estimated that every mile of populated coastline evacuated costs up to $1 million in unnecessary personal outlay, lost business and government expenses.
STAY OR LEAVE?
Click here for Palm Beach County information about evacuation zones.
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. Find the nearest shelters. Some will fill up quickly, and some won’t open at all. If you need transportation or special help, make arrangements now.
Hurricane Irma: Evacuation zones, procedures
IF YOU LEAVE THE REGION
No place in Florida is safe from a storm. It could envelop much of the state or march up the coast and turn toward your destination. In 1995, Erin threatened Miami, and thousands fled to Orlando, where Erin struck. 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. And 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.
Hurricane Irma: Get the latest news and information on the storm
Florida's Turnpike: Monitor www.floridasturnpike.com for the latest details.
More evacuation route information: Call (850) 414-4100 or (toll free) (866) 374-FDOT (3368).
Call 511: The Florida Department of Transportation offers its free 511 service for travel information and roadway conditions, including road and bridge closures, toll suspensions and major evacuation routes. For more, go to www.FL511.com.
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