Stephanie Iken, Attorney at Law

If you live in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, or anywhere along the Gulf Coast, hurricanes and tropical storms are part of the local landscape. An emergency plan can reduce confusion and make stressful situations easier to manage.

Start With Local, Official Planning Resources

Local governments are the best source for evacuation routes, flood risks, shelter locations, and storm updates. They know the terrain, traffic patterns, and vulnerabilities specific to this region.

The City of Pensacola provides emergency preparedness guidance that includes hurricane readiness checklists, evacuation information, and local updates:

City of Pensacola Emergency Preparedness
https://www.cityofpensacola.com/722/Emergency-Preparedness

This resource is a useful starting point for understanding how the city communicates during emergencies and what services may be available before and after a storm.

Know Your Evacuation Zone Before You Need It

Evacuation zones are one of the most important pieces of information for Gulf Coast residents.

Escambia County offers an interactive tool that allows residents to look up their hurricane evacuation zone. Zones are labeled A through E and correspond to different storm surge risks and evacuation timelines.

Escambia County Know Your Zone
https://myescambia.com/our-services/public-safety/beready/know-your-zone

Knowing your zone ahead of time helps determine:

• Whether evacuation is likely
• How early evacuation orders may be issued
• Which routes and shelters apply to your address

Residents of Gulf Breeze or Santa Rosa County should also review their county emergency management pages for zone and shelter information specific to their area.

Build a Disaster Plan With Your Family

A family emergency plan does not need to be complex, but it should be written down and shared with everyone in the household.

Key elements to include:

• Where you will go if evacuation is required
• At least one alternate evacuation route
• An out-of-area emergency contact everyone can reach
• A meeting location if family members are separated
• Plans for pets, children, elderly relatives, or anyone with medical needs

Escambia County’s disaster planning guidance recommends preparing for at least seven days of self-sufficiency. After major storms, emergency responders may be stretched thin or unable to reach certain areas immediately.

Escambia County Disaster Planning Resources
https://myescambia.com/our-services/public-safety/beready

Create and Maintain an Emergency Supply Kit

Emergency kits should reflect the realities of living on the Gulf Coast and the specific needs of your household.

At a minimum, consider having:

• Water and non-perishable food for seven days
• Prescription medications and copies of prescriptions
• Flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio
• Cash, since electronic payment systems may be unavailable
• Waterproof copies of important documents
• Charging cables or power banks for phones and medical devices

The City of Pensacola also provides guidance on building a 72-hour emergency kit that can be customized based on household size and medical needs:

Pensacola Area Emergency Kit Guidance
https://www.cityofpensacola.com/1182/Emergency-Preparedness

For additional planning tools and printable checklists, FEMA and the American Red Cross offer nationally recognized resources that align with local emergency planning efforts:

FEMA Ready
https://www.ready.gov

American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html

Stay Informed and Follow Local Orders

When storms approach, conditions can change rapidly. Local government alerts and emergency management updates are the most reliable sources of information.

During hurricane season:

• Monitor local emergency management websites
• Sign up for emergency alerts if available
• Follow evacuation orders promptly
• Avoid flooded roads and standing water

Storm surge and flash flooding remain some of the most serious risks in this region.

Final Thought

Preparation gives families clarity when time is limited. A plan created in advance allows decisions to happen faster and with less uncertainty when weather conditions escalate.