If You Must Evacuate

All residents living in the hurricane evacuation zone, a mobile home, or areas prone to flooding must evacuate when an evacuation order is issued. All areas within the evacuation zone are likely to experience storm surge during a hurricane, and, therefore, residents are not safe in their home and must evacuate. Most deaths associated with hurricanes are due to drowning in high waters, not to the destruction associated with high winds. Click on the Mandatory Evacuation Zones link to view a map of the surge zones in Palm Beach County.

The dense coastal population in south Florida will complicate the evacuation process in the event of a large regional evacuation order. Transportation routes will be heavily congested and movement outside of the county extremely limited if not impossible. Have a family disaster plan in place now to ensure that you and your family are prepared to act quickly and appropriately.

Plan to evacuate only if absolutely necessary and follow the instructions in the attached information. If you cannot remain safely in your home, plan to stay with family or friends outside of the evacuation zone who do not live in a mobile home.

There are many actions you can take to strengthen the ability of a home to withstand hurricane force winds by installing shutters, reinforcing garage doors, the roof, and other large openings. You may also choose to construct a safe room within your home. (Further information available in the mitigation section.) Mobile homes are not constructed to withstand hurricane force winds. All residents living in a mobile home should plan to evacuate.

If sheltering options are not available with family members, friends, or your employer, the American Red Cross Shelter may be a last resort of safety for your family. Please click on the Hurricane Shelters section for listings of shelters close to your home and instructions for your family.

If you require assistance in evacuating your home and sheltering due to physical handicaps or medical condition, assistance may be available through the Special Care Unit Program or the Disabled Assistance Program. Please review the links at the left to learn more about these programs and register for assistance.