Frequently Asked Questions

What You Need to Know 

Hurricane evacuations are ordered by the Broward County Administrator to protect coastal residents from the dangerous storm surge. Broward County has two types of evacuation plans. The type of evacuation ordered will be based on the severity of the storm. 

EVACUATION PLAN A - for Hurricane Category 1 or 2 

• Storm surge is 4-7 feet above sea level with winds from 74-110 miles per hour. 
• All mobile home residents, residents beside tidal bodies of water and in low-lying areas, and residents east of the Intracoastal Waterway should evacuate. 

EVACUATION PLAN B - for Hurricane 3 or higher 

• Storm surge is 7-11 feet above sea level with winds of 111 miles per hour or greater. 
• In addition to those required to evacuate under Plan A, all residents east of U.S. 1 (Federal Highway) should evacuate.

Get additional information here. 

If you are using a generator because you have lost power, make sure you do so safely! Improperly using a generator can result in loss of life or property. Generators produce deadly and invisible carbon monoxide. You cannot smell or see carbon monoxide, which is why there are recommended practices to ensure you can avoid carbon monoxide poisoning while using your generator.

Always operate your generator outdoors, far from windows, doors, and vents, as carbon monoxide can accumulate indoors if the generator is too close. Proper ventilation is key. Never run a generator in enclosed spaces like garages or basements. Additionally, ensure your generator remains dry, using a canopy or cover to protect it from rain while maintaining airflow to prevent electrical shocks.

Get additional information here. 

Know Your Hurricane Risk

Make an Emergency Plan

Know your Evacuation Zone

Recognize Warnings and Alerts

• Pay attention to emergency information and alerts.
• If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Go to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising floodwater.
• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Get additional safety tips here. 

The Florida Individual Assistance Program is designed to coordinate assistance provided to individuals, households, and businesses recovering from disaster or emergency impacts. After the president signs a disaster declaration, it is important to inform affected individuals and businesses through press releases and outreach efforts that programs are available to them in obtaining any entitled aid.

The first step for individuals and businesses needing assistance should be through the toll-free tele-registration hotline, available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY: 1-800-462-7585). Specially trained operators at the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Tele-registration Center will process the application. Once this is accomplished, further assistance may be coordinated through a Disaster Recovery Center (disclaimer: link is only functional during a disaster), which may be established in each of the declared counties or regionally. Representatives of federal, state, local, and volunteer organizations are made available to help disaster survivors who are applying for assistance.