New findings from show 24% of Floridians would not evacuate their home during a hurricane if given warning.
Of those who do evacuate, more than half of Floridians 鈥� or 58% 鈥� said they wouldn鈥檛 leave their homes unless a hurricane was a Category 3 or stronger, according to AAA鈥檚 Consumer Pulse Survey. It also shows 19% of Floridians do not prepare ahead of time for hurricane season or severe weather.
Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA, said staying put during a deadly storm isn鈥檛 worth the risk.
鈥淭ake steps now to develop an evacuation plan for your family and pets,鈥� Jenkins said in the release. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e worried about property damage, contact your insurance advisor. Having adequate coverage will give you the peace-of-mind in knowing that anything damaged while you鈥檙e gone can be repaired or replaced.鈥�
The survey also included reasons why Floridians would not evacuate in the event of a hurricane. Here鈥檚 what respondents said:
- 40% want to stay in case there鈥檚 damage to their home or property that they can fix
- 30% can鈥檛 bring their pets or don鈥檛 have a safe option for them
- 22% believe the storm will turn away from them
- 18% don鈥檛 know where to go
- 17% are scared of looting after the storm
- 15% stay for financial reasons
- 8% stay because they or a family member are unable to travel
- 9% stay because gas is too expensive
- 2% are afraid they鈥檒l lose their job
- 17% stay for other reasons
Floridians also showed varying levels of concern for this year鈥檚 hurricane season. Twenty-two percent of Floridians said they were more concerned about 2023鈥檚 season compared to last year, according to the survey, while 74% said they have the same level of concern. Only 4% said they鈥檙e less concerned than 2022鈥檚 season.
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