Know Your Zone!
Thousands of computer simulations depicting Sea, Lake, and Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH Models) were analyzed to determine the areas of Nassau County most likely to be inundated during a tropical cyclone. Depending on the scenario (i.e. storm category, forward speed, direction, ground saturation), water depths all over the county could reach from a few inches to over 25 feet; surge can cause flooding well into our river basins, not just at the coast. These data were combined with landscape features, population density, and road access to generate our public safety evacuation zones.
Everyone in an evacuation zone should designate a safe alternate location well before it’s needed. Plan what you will take and know how long it will take you to get there. For help planning, read and heed our Citizen’s Disaster Preparedness Guide.
If a tropical cyclone approaches, residents in mobile homes and those who are electricity-dependent or have special medical needs should plan to evacuate to a safe place out of the area, even if not in a designated evacuation zone. High winds and tornadoes associated with tropical cyclones are much more likely to damage mobile homes; electric power and certain medical services may be unavailable for days or weeks after impact.
The map right depicts our different zones by color. Evacuation Zones are not the same as FEMA Flood Zones. Evacuation Zones take into consideration the likelihood for impact from storms, water accumulation, ocean surge, river basins, and public safety access (we don’t want anyone driving through water that covers a road). Just know that evacuations ordered for a tropical cyclone will be by Evacuation Zone letter and ALL residents of mobile-home/trailers should evacuate regardless of their Zone!
To see exactly in which zone your address is in go to the Property Appraiser’s detailed Nassau County Map website, click on “Map Layers” at the top of the page, check the Public Safety box and the Evacuation Zones box in the menu that pops up, then use the “Search By” feature to select “Address” and enter your street address.
