Martin County emergency director outlines storm surge thresholds and evacuation guidance

Sally Waite, director of Martin County Emergency Management, urged residents to learn their storm surge evacuation zone and be ready to leave when officials order an evacuation. She defined storm surge and explained how and when county officials will order evacuations.

Waite said, “Storm surge occurs when the winds of a coastal storm push additional water on top of the current tide level water,” and noted surge is not limited to coastal properties because it can travel up streams and rivers to inland areas.

Waite described how watches and warnings are issued: the National Hurricane Center issues a storm surge watch when hazardous conditions are expected within 48 hours and a warning when hazardous conditions are expected within 36 hours. She added that watches and warnings may be issued earlier if tropical-storm-force winds are expected to shorten the time available for protective actions.

Using forecasted surge amounts, Martin County officials determine which evacuation zones to clear. Waite said storm surges in zones A and B “could reach up to 6 feet” and that evacuations would be ordered for zones A, B, C and D if a 13-foot storm surge is forecasted — which, she said, could mean roughly 13 feet of water on the Barrier Islands and up to about 6 feet in zones C and D. She also said that if a 16-foot storm surge is forecasted, evacuations will be ordered for all storm surge evacuation zones, with potential for 16 feet on the Barrier Islands and up to 6 feet inland in zone E.

Waite directed residents to find their evacuation zone online at www.martin.fl.us/readiness and reiterated practical advice: “Know your evacuation zone and be ready to act. When officials say evacuate, go.” She advised that people should evacuate tens of miles, not hundreds, to reach shelter.

The briefing closes with Waite’s seasonal safety reminder: “Stay informed and stay safe this hurricane season.”