Why You Should Evacuate Before a Hurricane Hits

When officials tell people to evacuate before a hurricane, they're not being overly cautious. Hurricane evacuation orders come only when staying put could kill you. These storms pack incredible destructive power through storm surge, flooding, tornadoes, and winds that can rip apart buildings like paper.

Storm safety tips start with one simple rule: when authorities say leave, you leave. Period. People who ignore evacuation orders don't just risk their own lives - they put first responders in danger too. Emergency crews can't rescue folks during the worst parts of storms, meaning help won't come when you need it most.

Why Staying Behind Backfires

Hurricane survival involves more than just weathering the initial storm. Even if someone makes it through the wind and rain without getting hurt, the aftermath creates serious problems. Power stays out for weeks, water systems fail, and basic supplies disappear from stores.

Bryan Koon from Florida's Emergency Management Division puts it bluntly: surviving the storm is just the first challenge. Then you have to survive the recovery period, which can be brutal depending on how badly the hurricane damages your area.