(WALA) – When a hurricane threatens the Gulf Coast, one of the most important questions residents face is whether they need to evacuate. The answer often depends on where they live and their risk for storm surge, the dangerous rise of seawater pushed inland by a hurricane’s winds.
Evacuation zones are designed to help emergency managers move people out of the most vulnerable areas first. By using a zone-based system, officials can reduce traffic congestion, prioritize those at greatest risk, and improve public safety before conditions become dangerous.
Understanding your evacuation zone before a storm develops is a critical part of hurricane preparedness…