FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. — With the coronavirus creating travel concerns this year, we all have a tougher decision to make when it comes time to pack up and leave home for a tropical system.
What You Need To Know
- Hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Dorian impacted Florida's coast
- Flagler emergency management director: Evacuees don't have to go far, just get past I-95
- STORM SEASON 2020 GUIDE: Latest News and Resources | Hurricane Supply Checklist | Test Your Hurricane Season Knowledge
The last few years have provided Scott Fox a lot of hurricane prep experience.
“We've been through it before, so we kind of have an idea on what's to come,” said Flagler Beach resident Scott Fox, who has seen first-hand how storms can affect his community.
While sitting outside his locally-owned Tortugas Restaurant, he noted where he has seen damage in the past. “That area took on a foot of water during Irma.”
Securing his restaurant is no small task. “Furniture, electrical, TVs, get everything inside, and board up all my windows,” he said of his pre-storm preparations.
Recent years have proved to be busy, enduring the effects of Dorian, Irma, and especially Hurricane Matthew, which damaged A1A.
“The road just didn't hold up, taking major storm surge and high winds, and the road just collapsed,” Fox said.
The images of flooding along this corridor serve as a reminder of the importance of evacuation orders.
Fox knows from experience, leaving if told to is the right thing to do. “If we're expecting inclement weather, I would highly recommend going to a safe zone.”
This year, there is an added element in hurricane preparations: a pandemic.
Jonathan Lord is Flagler County’s emergency management director.
“If your area or your type of structure is told to evacuate, don't worry about COVID-19 because hurricanes and storm surge is way more deadly,” Lord said.
Evacuation doesn't have to be a long trip out of state.
“They really just have to get past I-95 and they are pretty much in safety 90 percent of the time,” Lord said.
Should that happen this year, Fox feels he’s ready.
“After the coronavirus, I feel confident that we're ready to handle whatever is thrown at us,” he assured.
But still hopes 2020 doesn’t take another swipe at his business.
Another thing you should think about is where will you go if you have to evacuate – and will you need any PPE to protect yourself from the coronavirus.
That may be an important addition to your hurricane kit. Also think about elderly family members, who could be at higher risk in a public shelter.