Cell phone data is giving emergency planners new insight into what happens when a major storm threatens Florida.
Researchers at the University of Central Florida tracked thousands of devices in the days surrounding Hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Michael.
They found on average only one in four evacuees, meaning most cell phone users stayed at home.
In 2016, 16% of people potentially at risk during Matthew evacuated before hitting the East Coast.
In 2017, 29% left before Irma hit, and 24% fled the Panhandle before a direct hit from Michael in 2018.
This is the first major update of its kind since 2010, when the Florida Department of Transportation conducted its own study.
Since then, the state has experienced 17 percent population growth, meaning millions of new residents who have limited experience dealing with hurricanes.
This is the first behavioral study of its kind in over a decade.
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Researchers hope it will help state and local agencies predict what will happen when Florida inevitably faces its next hurricane.
“Be Prepared” are the words on the sign outside the Clay County Emergency Services Center.
Principal John Ward said he hopes people listen when an evacuation order is given, but unfortunately, many people don’t.
“They can hunker down. They don’t worry about all the different factors,” Ward said. “One of the biggest issues we deal with is storm surge and flooding.”
Even on a relatively sunny day, it’s obvious how easily parts of Clay County can flood.
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“What we’re saying is if it floods in an afternoon storm, it’s going to flood during a hurricane,” Ward warned.
As was the case with Hurricane Irma. Clay County first responders had to rescue 368 people from rooftops and front porches because they didn’t want to evacuate.
The Department of Transport has investigated why people are not evacuating.
It found that 18% did not want to leave their homes or underestimated the severity of the hurricane. Another 8% could not afford to leave or had nowhere to stay.
Other reasons not to evacuate:
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My job required me to stay
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No access to shelters that allow pets
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No transportation
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No shelter available
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A family member or friend too ill to leave
If you don’t know if you are in an evacuation zone, you can check the Florida Disasters page to find out about your area.
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