Hurricane evacuation myths, realities and what to do

By Tom Dunn CONTRIBUTOR

The most important thing residents need to understand about hurricane evacuations is to have a plan and leave early.

If you leave before the evacuation order, you can decide where you want to go and how you want to get there.

If you wait until the evacuation order, you are at the mercy of the official evacuation plan. You lose control of your route, and you will have to go with the flow of the evacuation routes.

If you can leave before the mandatory evacuation order, have a plan and put together an evacuation kit.

If you are unable to leave before the mandatory evacuation order, understand the evacuation routes and know where they are sending you.

No matter when you leave, be patient on the road – you might be on it a long time.

Here are some myths about evacuation and the realities:

Myth: Barrier islands will evacuate first or will be the only areas evacuated.

Reality: Beaufort County is a single zone and all of Beaufort County will be evacuated together. There will be no phased or partial evacuations.

Myth: Local governments can call for a