Hurricane Season: Storm Surge Evacuation Zone Map Change

June 1, 2011

2010evaczones.jpgNew hurricane evacuation zones in Escambia County reach inland all the way to the North Escambia area. And as the 2011 storm season begins, Escambia County Emergency Management is encouraging residents to check their property on the updated storm surge evacuation zone map.

The old evacuation zones stretched as far north as just north of Nine Mile Road along the Perdido and Escambia Rivers only for category 3 or greater storms. The new evacuation zones stretch as far north as North Barth Road along the Escambia River and Vantage Road on the Perdido River — locations that are prone to flooding.

“Property owners impacted by the new storm surge maps should consider the purchase of flood insurance. Please check with your insurance agent if you are now in an evacuation zone. Staying safe from surge flooding is easy if you follow evacuation orders and don’t wait until it is too late,” said John Dosh, Escambia’s emergency management chief.

The new plans will eliminate evacuation zone references based up the category of the storm. Rather than the category evacuation zones, the county will instead identify evacuation zones with an A, B, C, D, and E reference.

While the new evacuation zones stretch further inland into North Escambia based upon storm surge date, the overall number of people that would be ordered to evacuate will be reduced — most of the included land in the North Escambia area is along the Perdido or Escambia River and very sparsely populated.

To view the new evacuation zones, visit click here.

Comments

Comments are closed.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News