STAYING HOME DURING A HURRICANE?

If a mandatory evacuation has not been issued for your area, the choice to evacuate may be less obvious. However, there are some other things to take into account even if an evacuation has not been ordered by authorities.

• If you live in a mobile home or other forms of temporary structure, you should evacuate. These builds are not designed to withstand hurricanes. 
• If you’re in a high-rise building, it’s important to evacuate. Winds can cause extensive damage.
• If your home is located in a floodplain, it’s a good idea to evacuate even if an official order has not been declared.

If your home is in a low-lying area, you may still want to evacuate to higher ground. This is particularly important in an area where flooding is anticipated.

If you do stay home, be sure to keep your distance from windows and glass storm doors. Even with the precautions outlined below (such as storm shutters), windows and doors can still shatter and cause injury.

As is the case with evacuation, there are important steps to take before and during a hurricane to maximize your safety at home.