A lot of newcomers wonder what to do in a hurricane…
The first thing to do is to pay attention to the local news outlets. If you have access to the internet, then also check out the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) storm tracker map.
I’m sorely tempted to say, “Just leave.” And let it go at that. We really don’t get as many as the east coast of Florida does. Charley (2004) and Wilma (2005) were the first in over 40 years. But when we do get them, hurricanes can be severely damaging.
Here are a couple of photos from the Florida Emergency Management site. They illustrate the apparent fickleness of these storms. The surviving houses, however, were most likely better built, although that isn’t an absolute survival guarantee.
Charlotte County houses after Charley 2004
Closer view of house damage, Charlotte County after Charley 2004
If you are living on the beach or one of the barrier islands, you are foolish to try to ride it out (assuming those photos aren’t enough for you), and here’s why:
- The storm surge, which is something like a tsunami in its effect, can push the tide to 20 or 25 feet if a major storm happens to hit at high tide. Charley’s storm surge was 10 feet or so, which gutted a good many first floor rooms on Ft. Myers beach, and pretty well ruined the second floor. The old saying, “Run from the water, hide from the wind” is not just a quaint old saying. It’s good advice.
- It can take days or weeks to restore services after a hurricane, depending on the damage. If you stay on the island, you could end up stuck there for days or weeks with limited access to clean water, food, and all the other amenities we can’t seem to live without (like flush toilets, air conditioning, electricity, etc.).
- You are putting others at risk. If you defy the evacuation orders and stay on the island to protect your stuff, and then need to be rescued, you are putting other people in harm’s way and draining resources from other more worthy efforts. Stuff can be replaced; it would be a shame to lose your life because you were stupid.
Where to hide
Get off the barrier islands.
- Go inland from the beach and find a sturdy hotel, friend’s house, or one of the shelters.
- Most, if not all, major storms will come up from the south or southwest and move more or less north. If you have enough time, hop on I-75 and go east to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale if the storm track is projected to go north. If the track is projected to go east, then go up I-75 to Tampa. Or, Atlanta if you’re really worried.
If you wait too long to leave, like until the storm is three or fewer days away, you will likely be stuck on I-75 going nowhere in a traffic jam. Don’t do that. Find suitable shelter and go there. Do not be in your car when the storm comes. Next to the beach or a double-wide trailer, it’s about the worst place you can be.
Above all, have a plan.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) has a plethora of hurricane information. Download and print this list if you move here.
After the storm passes, you aren’t through yet. Count on at least a week and maybe two without power. That, of course, means no air conditioning or refrigeration. Either buy a generator with enough output to handle refrigeration and to run the A/C some or cozy up to your neighbor who had the foresight to get one. Motel 6 in Atlanta will look really good along about the third or fourth day in 95 degree weather with no A/C.
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