Living in South Florida means you've probably heard the term "storm surge" enough to make your head spin. But honestly, when the sky turns that weird shade of gray and the local news starts showing those colorful maps, most people in Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood still find themselves scratching their heads. They ask: "Wait, am I in Zone A or Zone B?"
It matters. A lot.
Broward County evacuation zones aren't just lines on a map to keep bureaucrats busy. They are literally the difference between staying dry in your living room and needing a Coast Guard boat to pull you off your roof. There is a ton of confusion out there, especially regarding the difference between a flood zone and an evacuation zone. If you think they're the same thing, you're setting yourself up for a very bad week.
The Two Zones You Actually Need to Know
Broward keeps it simpler than Miami-Dade, which uses a five-letter system. Here, we basically deal with two primary zones: Plan A and Plan B.
Plan A is the "serious" one for smaller storms. If we’re looking at a Category 1 or 2 hurricane, Plan A residents are usually the ones getting the "get out" order. This area is mostly everything east of the Intracoastal Waterway. If you can see the ocean or a canal that connects to it from your porch, you're likely in Plan A.
Plan B kicks in when things get nasty—Category 3 or higher. This zone extends further inland, generally reaching out to US-1 (Federal Highway).
Wait, there’s a massive exception.
Mobile homes. It doesn't matter if you live in a mobile home park in Davie or way out west in Weston. If any evacuation order is issued—Plan A or Plan B—you are included. Period. The structures just aren't built to handle the wind loads of a Florida hurricane, even if you aren't near the water.
Why Your GPS Doesn't Care About Surge
You might live three miles inland and think you're safe. But the way water moves in Broward is weird. Because of our canal system, storm surge can travel miles away from the beach.
The county uses something called the SLOSH model (Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes). It sounds like a car wash, but it’s actually a physics-heavy calculation of how much ocean water the wind can shove into our streets.
The "Flood Zone" Trap
Here is where people get into trouble. You look at your mortgage paperwork and see "Zone X." You think, "Great, I'm not in a flood zone, I don't need to leave."
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Wrong.
FEMA flood zones are for insurance. They tell you how likely it is that rain will flood your house over a 30-year mortgage.
Evacuation zones are for life safety. They tell you if the ocean is going to come into your house right now because of a storm.
You can be in a "low-risk" FEMA flood zone but still be in Evacuation Zone A. I’ve seen it happen where someone stays home because they didn't have mandatory flood insurance, only to have three feet of salt water ruin their first floor because they ignored the evacuation order.
Real Talk on "Mandatory"
People ask all the time: "Can the police actually drag me out of my house?"
Technically, an evacuation order is a legal requirement. But honestly? No, the Broward Sheriff’s Office isn't going to kick down your door and handcuff you while a hurricane is howling. They have better things to do.
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However—and this is the part people forget—once the winds hit a certain speed (usually around 45-50 mph), emergency services stop responding. If you stay behind in Zone A and your roof starts peeling off or the water starts rising, nobody is coming to save you until the storm passes. You're on your own. That’s the "mandatory" part they don't put on the brochures.
Where Do You Actually Go?
If you're in a zone that's been called, you have a few choices. Most people think they have to go to a shelter.
Shelters are... well, they’re a last resort. They’re loud, crowded, and you get about 20 square feet of floor space. It’s basically a gym with a thousand strangers.
If you have the means, your best bet is a hotel out west or a friend’s house in a non-evacuation zone. Broward has a "Vulnerable Population Registry" for folks who are elderly or have disability needs. If you or a family member needs electricity for a ventilator or specialized transport, you have to register for that before the storm is on the horizon. Don't wait until the clouds are gray to call 311.
The Pet Situation
For a long time, people stayed in evacuation zones because they didn't want to leave their dogs. Broward finally got smart about this. There are pet-friendly shelters, but they usually require pre-registration. You can't just show up at the door of a random high school with a Great Dane and expect a warm welcome.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
Stop wondering "what if" and get your house in order before the 2026 season peaks.
- Check the map properly. Go to the Broward County official website and type in your specific address. Don't rely on "I think I'm east of US-1." Know for sure.
- Sign up for AlertBroward. This is the system that pushes emergency notifications to your phone. It’s much faster than waiting for the 6 PM news.
- Locate your "Go-Bag" spot. This isn't your full hurricane kit with 10 cases of water. This is the bag with your passports, insurance docs, meds, and a few changes of clothes for when you have to leave Zone A in a hurry.
- Verify your shelter options. If you have a cat or dog, call the Broward County Humane Society at 954-989-3977 to see which shelters are currently designated as pet-friendly for this cycle.
- Update the Vulnerable Population Registry. If you have a neighbor who lives alone and doesn't use the internet, check on them. Help them register by calling 311 or 954-831-4000.
The biggest mistake is thinking you'll have time to figure this out when the "Watch" becomes a "Warning." By then, I-95 is a parking lot and the gas stations are out of fuel. Know your zone today so you can be the one watching the chaos from a safe, dry distance tomorrow.