Hurricane Preparedness - Evacuation Plan

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Updated: June 2024

Hurricane Evacuation Plan During Hurricane Preparedness Week, make sure you have a hurricane evacuation plan. The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you’re in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane. If you are, figure out where you’d go and how you’d get there if told to evacuate. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Identify someone, perhaps a friend or relative who doesn’t live in an evacuation zone or unsafe home, and coordinate with them to use their home as your evacuation destination. Be sure to account for your pets, as most local shelters do not permit them. Put the plan in writing for you and those you care about. Find Your Evacuation Zone (PDF) http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone.  If you do, now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles, but have multiple options. Your destination could be a friend or relative who doesn’t live in an evacuation zone.  If you live in a well-built home outside the evacuation zone, your safest place may be to remain home.  Be sure to account for your pets in your plan.  As hurricane season approaches, listen to local officials on questions related to how you may need to adjust any evacuation plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.

Understanding Evacuation – Know Your Zone (FLASH) courtesy of Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)

Weather Ready Nation - Evacuation Plan (Video)

(Click to enlarge)  Courtesy: CPHC

The president recently designated May 5 - 11, 2024 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. NOAA and FEMA encourage those living in hurricane-prone states to use this time to review their overall preparedness. More information on individual and family preparedness can be found at www.Ready.gov and www.hurricanes.gov/prepare.

"Preventing the loss of life and minimizing the damage to property from hurricanes are responsibilities that are shared by all"

"FEMA is working across the administration and with our state and local partners to ensure we're prepared for hurricane season," said Former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "But we can only be as prepared as the public, so it's important that families and businesses in coastal communities take steps now to be ready. These include developing a communications plan, putting together a kit, and staying informed of the latest forecasts and local emergency plans. You can't control when a hurricane or other emergency may happen, but you can make sure you're ready."

Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance: how you will get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. 

Downloadable Resources:

Print out a Communications Plan and fill it in with your family.

• Family Communication Plan (Kids)
• Family Communication Plan (Adults)
• Family Communication Plan Fillable Form
• Family Emergency Plan (FEP) (PDF - 750 Kb)

Ready.gov has made it simple for you to make a family emergency plan. Download the  and fill out the sections before printing it or emailing it to your family and friends.  ‏Learn what your family can do before, during, & after a hurricane: Know The Facts For Kids    #HurricanePrep

Disaster Prevention should include:

Developing a Family Plan Creating a Disaster Supply Kit Having a Place to Go Having a Pet Plan Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide (PDF)

Are you Red Cross Ready? Click here to launch an interactive module with pictures, audio and video content. More on what to do before, during and after a hurricane can be found at:  redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane An infographic can be viewed here.

Related Blog Posts & Links

click image to enlarge  (Courtesy CPHC)

• Hurricane Preparedness - Rip Currents
• Hurricane Preparedness - Inland Flooding
• Hurricane Preparedness - Storm Surge
• Hurricane Preparedness - Determine Risks
• Hurricane Preparedness - Winds & Tornadoes
• Hurricane Preparedness

• Colorado State University 
• Climate Prediction Center (CPC) 
• NOAA/ National Weather Service 
• WMO Severe Weather Info Centre 
• National Hurricane Center (NHC) 
• NWS Regional Offices and Centers
• Hurricane Safety Checklist 
• Travel With Protection Against Unexpected 
• Weather

Read entire series (click here)

More links and information about tropical storms and other weather conditions can be found in the Weather & Hurricane Zone tabs above.


If you live in, or plan to vacation in, an area where hurricanes are prevalent, please prepare in advance by reading our series.

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