A hurricane is a powerful rotating storm system, technically classified as a tropical cyclone, that generates sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or greater. These massive weather events are associated with three primary threats: devastating storm surge, high-velocity winds, and catastrophic inland flooding from torrential rainfall. Storm surge, a dome of ocean water pushed ashore by the wind, is the most dangerous hazard, accounting for the majority of hurricane-related fatalities. Determining the safest place to be requires careful, pre-planned action.
The Critical First Step: Evaluating the Need to Evacuate
The safest location during a hurricane is determined by the decision to evacuate or shelter in place. This choice must be based on official guidance rather than personal risk assessment. Local emergency management agencies designate specific hurricane evacuation zones, typically labeled alphabetically, which correspond to the risk of storm surge inundation. If authorities issue a mandatory evacuation order for your specific zone, the safest action is to leave immediately and travel inland.
Evacuation zones are based on predicted water height rather than the hurricane’s wind category, recognizing that storm surge is the greatest threat to life. Structures with inherently weak construction, such as mobile homes, are never considered safe during a hurricane. Homes in low-lying areas or near the coast are also at high risk of structural failure and internal flooding, making evacuation the only viable safety measure. Ignoring a mandatory evacuation order places both residents and first responders in danger.
Choosing the Safest Location Inside a Structure
If sheltering in place within a sturdy, site-built home, the safest location is the interior-most part of the lowest floor. The ground level is typically more structurally grounded and less susceptible to the strongest wind forces, which increase with height. Choose a small, windowless interior room, such as a closet, hallway, or bathroom, to protect against high winds and flying debris. Hallways are often considered safe because they are surrounded by walls and are away from exterior windows.
Avoid any room with exterior windows or glass doors, as shattering glass and wind-driven debris pose a laceration hazard. If possible, take cover under a heavy piece of furniture, like a mattress or a workbench, for protection from falling ceiling materials. Basements should be avoided in flood-prone areas because they can fill with water quickly. Attics should also be avoided unless floodwaters are rising dramatically, as they offer no protection from high winds and can trap occupants if the roof is compromised.
Safety Protocols for Public Shelters and Evacuation Destinations
When evacuation is necessary, designated public shelters, often reinforced government buildings or schools, offer a safer alternative to staying home in a threatened area. These shelters are generally a place of last resort; evacuating to a hotel or the home of family or friends outside the hazard area is often preferable. If you must rely on a public shelter, bring your own emergency supply kit, including essential medications, food, water, and bedding, as comfort and amenities are limited.
For those traveling inland to a safer destination, the journey itself carries significant risks. Driving during an evacuation often involves extreme traffic congestion, but the serious danger is encountering flooded roadways. It only takes twelve inches of moving water to sweep a car off the road, and flooded streets can hide dangerous debris or structural collapses. Drivers must also be vigilant for fallen trees, downed power lines, and damaged traffic signals, which are common hazards even far from the immediate coast. Always follow the directive to “turn around, don’t drown” and never attempt to drive through standing or moving water.