Evacuation Level Maps Change For Manatee County

BRADENTON, FL — Manatee County residents are being asked to check their hurricane evacuation levels before the 2017 Atlantic season gets under way on June 1. That’s because the county has made some adjustments to its maps that could impact whether a home or business is included in evacuation orders that may arise over the coming months.

The new maps were created using newer technology that enables more accurate depictions of local elevations, the county explained in a media release. The levels set for Manatee County properties are based on a computer model that runs hypothetical scenarios of what could happen in the event of a storm, the county said. The model used is called Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from Hurricanes, or SLOSH, for short. After running the model, some changes were made to the county’s maps.

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Hurricane evacuation levels are designated using the letters A through E. A level evacuation zones tend to be the most vulnerable and are typically located along the coast. Areas not included in evacuation levels are designated as being “outside an evacuation area,” the county said.

The new maps are available for viewing on the county’s website. Residents and business owners are urged to check them out as they prepare for the upcoming 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 through Nov. 30.

"Knowing your evacuation level is crucial to understanding when you need to leave your home due to a tropical storm or a hurricane," said Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Sherilyn Burris. "Remember that mobile homes, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles are never safe places to stay during high wind events. These types of housing will evacuate with Level A, regardless of where in the county the home is located."

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Photo courtesy of the National Hurricane Center