Evacuating Disasters Is A Privilege | Why Some Couldn’t Leave Despite Hurricane Milton Warnings!
Hurricane Milton hit Sarasota, Florida, just two weeks after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. Together, these two hurricanes left a trail of destruction, with hundreds of lives lost and many more displaced. When Milton was on its way toward Florida, mass evacuation orders were issued, and hundreds of thousands fled. However, some were unable to leave, despite warnings of life-threatening conditions.
Evacuating during a hurricane seems like the obvious choice. But not everyone can simply pack up and leave. For many low-income families, the cost of evacuation is a significant barrier. In fact, according to a 2021 survey by the University of South Florida, 43% of Floridians had less than $1,000 saved for emergencies, making evacuation nearly impossible. But not being not having enough money was the only reason. Some were struggling with physical disabilities. Others had to stay behind as they had no access to fuel, flights were canceled, hotels were sold out, or they simply couldn’t leave their pets.
Overpriced Hotels And Flights
One in nine Americans face poverty even today and people have limited options to evacuate themselves in a disaster. For example, during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many residents did not own vehicles and couldn’t reach evacuation buses. People were stranded with a devastating storm and roughly 1,400 people lost their lives.
Evacuating during a disaster is costly. Transportation, hotels, flights, and food become overpriced as soon as they hit a high demand. Connie Vickers, a 63-year-old woman had to spend $5,000 to book an Airbnb to escape Hurricane Helene. She felt fortunate to be able to cover the costs, but not everyone had the resources to do so. The financial burden disproportionately affects low-income families, forcing them to choose between their safety and financial ruin.
“I’ve been thinking about the socioeconomic differences.”
Connie Vickers tells Vox.
Social media posts leading up to Hurricane Milton revealed people struggling to find affordable shelters or flights. Flights that normally cost around $45 shot up to over $300, making it difficult for people to leave, even if they wanted to.
A woman on TikTok shared her challenge of evacuating with six children and four dogs, explaining that many shelters don’t allow pets, and she couldn’t afford the alternative of booking a place like Airbnb.
“I would have to book an Airbnb or something. I can’t afford to do that.”
She says in one video
@cnn Floridians face extreme traffic, high prices, and resource shortages during their Hurricane Milton evacuations. The rare storm is projected to make landfall Wednesday night. #cnn #news #florida #hurricanemilton #hurricane ♬ original sound – CNN
Fuel Shortages & Traffic Jams
Even if you can afford to evacuate, actually leaving is not always easy. As Hurricane Milton approached, fuel shortages became a serious issue across Florida. GasBuddy reported that nearly 24% of gas stations in Florida were out of fuel by October 9, 2024. Areas like Tampa see up to 62% of stations without gas. One resident, Chris Cain, explained how getting gas and navigating traffic jams made evacuating with his girlfriend and 8-month-old baby even more challenging.
Traffic jams also added to the chaos. This happened even during Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Millions of people tried to evacuate at the same time, leaving highways gridlocked. Similarly, Hundreds of thousands tried to flee from Milton. Many of them faced hours-long delays, making evacuation even more stressful and, for some, not worth the risk.
@theyrewatchingusnow Thousands of people are rushing out of Florida as life threatening Hurricane Milton threatens a once in a century direct hit on Tampa. Drivers are sititing for hours in standstill traffic as the major highways are jammed with cars trying to evacuate. DONT FORGET TO TAKE BACK ROADS AS WELL, PRAYERS TO FLORIDA🙏 #news #hurricane #florida #usa🇺🇸 #traffic #tampa ♬ Minimal for news / news suspense(1169746) – Hiraoka Kotaro
Health Issues, Having Pets and Being Physically Unable to Leave
Many people who couldn’t evacuate faced physical limitations. Some were caring for elderly family members or those with disabilities. In Hillsborough County during Hurricane Milton, over 500 people had to be rescued. Some residents were from an assisted living community and they were trapped by floodwaters.
Pets also made evacuation more difficult for some families. Many shelters don’t accept pets, leaving people like the woman in Southwest Florida with six children and four dogs struggling to find a safe place to stay. She explained that without pet-friendly shelters or affordable housing options, she was left with no choice but to stay behind, hoping they could weather the storm.
@mamamossof6 Replying to @cathy76ny We are Zone A for evacuations. Hurricane Milton will be getting close to us in SWFL area😳 #hurricane #hurricanemilton #floridacheck #flmomtok #swflstrong #parentsoftiktok #fyp #largefamilylife ♬ original sound – MamaMossof6
Evacuating Is a Privilege
For many, evacuating is a privilege, something only those with financial resources can do. People living in poverty or facing other economic challenges often cannot afford the high costs of leaving during a disaster. The Gulf Coast, in particular, has some of the highest poverty rates in the country. With extreme poverty comes a lack of resources, which makes surviving a disaster even harder.
@cbcnews Amy Welsh’s father, Joseph Murray, 61, a paraplegic with severe health issues, died in his home during Hurricane Milton. She knew he was in trouble and needed help, but raging floodwaters kept her from getting to his home. Welsh got within three metres of his door, standing in the hurricane-strength winds and heavy bands of rain, but she could not go any further or risk drowning in the rising floodwaters. #Milton #Hurricane #NaturalDisaster #Florida #CBCNews ♬ original sound – CBC News
How The Government And Some Companies Tried To Help
During Hurricane Milton, price gouging became a concern. Some companies hiked prices on essential goods like gas and hotel rooms. To combat this, the state of Florida suspended road tolls, and some airlines, like Delta and American, capped their ticket prices. However, these measures weren’t always enough. One traveler shared that plane tickets from Tampa to Atlanta, normally $39, were going for $321 as Milton approached. Hotels were filling up fast, leaving many with limited options. Even so, Governor DeSantis opened warehouses as shelters for those who couldn’t find a place to stay. The shelters were actually intended as a last resort.
Conclusion
Evacuating during disasters is more complicated than just choosing to leave. Financial difficulties, lack of transportation, health challenges, and even caring for pets can trap people in dangerous situations. While it’s easy to say that people should leave when a hurricane is coming, not everyone has that option. For those who can’t afford to evacuate, the government and organizations must do more to provide affordable evacuation options and better shelter resources. Evacuation isn’t accessible to everyone, and it’s up to society to recognize that and take steps to ensure those left behind during disasters are supported.
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