Regional Evacuation Study (Background)
In 2004 and 2005, Florida experienced an unprecedented level of tropical storm activity. In 2004, Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne impacted our State. Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma came ashore in Florida in 2005. In the short span of 24 months, millions of Floridians were impacted, and property damages ran into the billions of dollars. In response to these devastating hurricane seasons, state legislators passed House Bill 1721 and House Bill 1359, which identified enhanced statewide hurricane evacuation planning and a redefinition of the coastal high hazard area as state priorities. In accordance with this legislative direction, the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management obtained grant money through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to conduct regional evacuation studies across the State.
The Division of Emergency Management contracted with Florida's Regional Planning Councils to carry out these studies in close collaboration with county emergency management agencies. The Regional Planning Councils will facilitate consistent and integrated mapping and analysis of all-hazards evacuation across Florida.