Have you ever wondered what category of hurricane is the lowest that you should run away from. Keep reading.
What category hurricane should you evacuate?
Hurricane evacuations do not have a category that indicates how bad it is. This means that evacuating from a Category 3 hurricane can be more dangerous than evacuating from a Category 5 hurricane in some cases.
It is in your best interest to evacuate in the event of an evacuation order, and do not put yourself or others at risk due to ignorance of what category of hurricane you should evacuate in.
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When Should You Evacuate For A Hurricane?
There are three types of evacuations. These are voluntary, mandatory, and mandatory if issued by the governor. They are given to different levels of people based on their age, location, and other direct factors to decide what type of evacuation they should be given.
Voluntary, or voluntary if issued by the governor: This is for everyone who can leave on their own; however, if they choose not to do so, they must take care of themselves. It is recommended to leave for this type of evacuation within 24 hours.
Mandatory, or mandatory if issued by the governor: This is for everyone who can not leave on their own; however, they must take care of themselves. It is recommended to leave for this type of evacuation if you live in a low-lying area or are elderly. It is at your discretion to keep yourself safe before doing so.
Mandatory if issued by the governor: This is for everyone who can not leave on their own; however, they must take care of themselves. It is at your discretion to keep yourself safe before doing so.
Why Should You Evacuate Before A Hurricane?
Hurricanes can be devastating. If you are prepared, however, they can be much less dangerous. By evacuating before a hurricane comes, you will reduce the chance of injury or death if it hits your location.
You will also be helping the people who cannot evacuate on their own by keeping them company and protecting them from harm. If they are in no condition to help themselves, then you must.
It is always recommended that you keep a supply of food, water, and necessary items to survive a hurricane. It is also recommended to have a first aid kit and a radio with CB radio on it.
You will also need to check on your neighbors and family members often. You can do this by staying at their house or by checking on them from your own home.
How To Check If You Have To Leave Early Or Not
You will need to check with your local or state officials to determine if you have to evacuate early or not. The main things that they will be checking for are wind speeds, evacuation zones, type of hurricane, how much time you have left until the hurricane reaches your location.
If you are in a low-lying area or are elderly, then it is likely that evacuation is mandatory because the areas around you may not be able to hold up well during a Category 3 hurricane.
There are many other factors that go into decisions on when you should evacuate too.
Do You Evacuate For A Category 1 Hurricane?
A Category 1 is only a tropical storm with wind speeds of 74 to 95 mph. As a result, there is little damage done, and it mainly impacts people with small boats that are fishing or boating. For most people, there is little reason to evacuate for a Category 1 hurricane unless the storm is going to hit directly where you live.
If you live in a coastal area, there may be higher chances for you to have to evacuate because the high winds can still cause some damage.
Do You Evacuate For A Category 2 Hurricane?
It is recommended that you have an evacuation plan ready for a category 2 hurricane. A category 2 hurricane is not able to cause structural damage to an area. However, it can cause flooding, loss of power, and other issues during the course of the storm. This means you will need to get out before the storm hits too hard for it to be safe for you to stay in your home or location during the evacuation period.
Do You Evacuate For A Category 3 Hurricane?
In most cases, it is recommended that you have an evacuation plan ready for a category 3 hurricane. A category 3 hurricane can cause significant damage to areas with weaker building during the course of the storm. This means that you will need to be 100% sure you can escape with your life in order to stay in your home or location during the evacuation period. You will want to take as much as you need from your home before the storm hits. If a category 3 hurricane is coming, it is recommended that you have a plan for a category 4 one as well.
Do You Evacuate For A Category 4 Hurricane?
At category 4, evacuating is probably going to give you the best chance at survival. Hurricane winds can be found to be as high as 165 mph at category 4. This means that the only way you will survive a category 4 hurricane is through evacuating with a plan. In most cases, it is recommended that you have an evacuation plan ready for a category 3 hurricane, with a still solid evacuation plan for a category 5 hurricane.
Do You Evacuate For A Category 5 Hurricane?
Category 5 hurricanes are able to cause the most damage of any hurricane that has been created throughout history. A category 5 hurricane can produce winds that are up to 200 miles per hour, and many areas will be destroyed.
The only way you will survive a category 5 hurricane is through evacuating before the storm hits. If you do not, you will most likely die or lose anything of value that you own.
When Are Mandatory Evacuations Issued?
A mandatory evacuation is only given when there is a direct threat to civilians. In most cases, a mandatory evacuation occurs during a category 4 or category 5 hurricane.
You may be given a voluntary evacuation before a mandatory one. If this happens, you will typically have no more than 24 hours to leave your location for safety reasons.
When Are Voluntary Evacuations Issued?
Voluntary evacuations are issued for much the same reasons as mandatory evacuations. The main difference is that you can choose if you want to evacuate or not. The governor can also choose to issue a voluntary evacuation order for any location in their state if they feel it is necessary. This means that areas with low flood risk, dry floodplains, or mobile homes are likely likely to be high-risk areas where mandatory evacuations are issued.
Where Do You Evacuate During A Hurricane?
The best place for an evacuation route to is an area away from the coast. It is recommended that you find an area where you can stay at least 25 miles away from the coast; however, 100 miles is even better. If you are forced to leave early for a storm, it is highly recommended that you stay with family or friends if possible. This will be much safer than staying in a shelter.
If neither of those options are available, then you need to find a shelter that has been approved for hurricane evacuees.
Conclusion
Hurricanes are powerful storms and heavy rains that can damage the entire area that you live in. If you have been forced to evacuate early from a hurricane, then you need to determine which type you had to escape from as it will help you determine what type of equipment and supplies you will need.
If a hurricane is approaching, then it is recommended that you have a plan ready for the evacuation period.