Coastal Services Center

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Hurricane Evacuation Studies

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The following reports provide information on the hurricane evacuation study process. Hurricane Evacuation Study (HES) reports contain several analyses that are performed at the state level and typically include transportation, behavioral, and hazard analyses; historical hurricane activity; and agency coordination. In addition, each HES may contain a technical data report, a technical assessment, and a hurricane evacuation restudy. Reports can be accessed by following one of the links below. Note: most of the reports are in Portable Document Format (PDF). Download Adobe® Reader® to view the reports.

Alabama | Florida | Georgia | Maryland | Mid-Atlantic | Mississippi | North Carolina | South Carolina | HES Technical Guidelines

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Alabama

Title: Alabama Hurricane Evacuation Study (Fall 2001)

Summary
The purpose of the Alabama Hurricane Evacuation Study is to develop tools and information that will help the state and county emergency management offices decide who should evacuate during a hurricane threat and when the evacuation order should be given to ensure all evacuees have enough time to get to safety.

Link to Report: Alabama Hurricane Evacuation Study (187 MB ZIP)

Instructions for Opening the .zip File:
The files are provided in the .zip format and additional software may be required, such as PKZIP^® or UnZip, a free, open-source unzipping utility. To uncompress the files, create a new folder, unzip all files, and click on Startup.htm to begin.

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

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Florida

Title: Apalachee Bay Region: Hurricane Evacuation Study — Technical Data Report for Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla and Jefferson Counties, Florida (March 1997)

Summary
The purpose of this hurricane evacuation study is to provide emergency management officials with realistic data by quantifying the major factors in hurricane evacuation decision making. These data are provided as a framework of information that counties can use to update and revise their hurricane evacuation plans and operational procedures to improve their response to future hurricane threats.

Link to Report: Apalachee Bay Region: Hurricane Evacuation Study — Technical Data Report for Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla and Jefferson Counties, Florida (26 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Assessment for Broward County (February 1991)

Summary
The Lower Southeast Florida hurricane evacuation study is an update of the 1983 regional study for Monroe, Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties and is intended to provide emergency management officials with detailed data quantifying the major factors involved in hurricane evacuation decision making. This is a document that evaluates the evacuation procedures specifically for Broward County.

Link to Report: Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Assessment for Broward County (16.4 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Assessment for Monroe County (June 1991)

Summary
The Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study is an update of the 1983 regional study for Monroe, Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties and is intended to provide emergency management officials with detailed data quantifying the major factors in hurricane evacuation decision making. This is a document that evaluates the evacuation procedure specifically for Monroe County.

Link to Report: Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Assessment for Monroe County (10 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Assessment for Palm Beach County (February 1991)

Summary
The Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study is an update of the 1983 regional study for Monroe, Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties and is intended to provide emergency management officials with detailed data quantifying the major factors in hurricane evacuation decision making. This is a document that evaluates the evacuation procedure specifically for Palm Beach County.

Link to Report: Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Assessment for Palm Beach County (12.4 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study: Transportation Analysis for Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties (January 1991)

Summary
The overall goals of the transportation analysis were to estimate clearance times, to define the evacuation road network, and to look at general traffic control issues that could affect traffic flow along critical roadway segments. Basic assumptions for the transportation analysis were then developed related to storm scenarios, population-at-risk, behavioral and socioeconomic characteristics, the roadway system, and traffic control.

Link to Report: Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study: Transportation Analysis for Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties (18.4 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: Technical Data Report for Lower Southeast Florida HES (June 1983)

Summary
The objective of this study is to provide a quantitative framework upon which each county in the Lower Southeast Florida study area can update and refine existing hurricane evacuation plans. To accomplish this objective, technical data were developed to identify and measure the critical elements of the hurricane evacuation process.

Link to Report: Technical Data Report for Lower Southeast Florida HES (65.4 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study (October 1989)

Summary
The Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study is an update of the 1983 regional study for Monroe, Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties and is intended to provide emergency management officials with detailed data quantifying the major factors in hurricane evacuation decision making.

Link to Report: Lower Southeast Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study (5.2 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: Northwest Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties (July 1999)

Summary
The purpose of this hurricane evacuation study is to provide emergency management officials in Northwest Florida with information that could assist them in hurricane evacuation decision making. The technical data presented in the report can be used by county and state agencies to supplement their hurricane evacuation plans and operational procedures in response to hurricane threats.

Link to Report: Northwest Florida Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties (49.2 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: Treasure Coast Region Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report — Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties, Florida (1994)

Summary
The purpose of this study is to provide emergency management officials with realistic data quantifying the major factors in hurricane evacuation decision making. The data will provide a framework counties can use to update and revise their hurricane evacuation plans and from which operational procedures and guides can be developed for future hurricane threats.

Link to Report: Treasure Coast Region Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report — Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties, Florida (46.6 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

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Georgia

Title: Georgia Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report (December 2002)

Summary
The purpose of this hurricane evacuation study is to provide local government officials with information that could assist them in hurricane evacuation decision making, and emergency management officials with information for effective planning. County and state agencies can use the technical data presented in this report to supplement their hurricane evacuation plans and operational procedures in responding to future hurricane threats.

Link to Report: Georgia Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report (84.8 MB ZIP)

Instructions for Opening the .zip File:
The files are provided in the .zip format and additional software may be required, such as PKZIP^® or UnZip, a free, open-source unzipping utility. To uncompress the files, create a new folder, unzip all files, and click on index.htm to begin.

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

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Maryland

Title: Maryland Hurricane Evacuation Study (December 1990)

Summary
The purpose of this study is to develop policies and plans to safely and efficiently evacuate people during a hurricane and to increase public awareness of hurricane dangers. The report consists of five separate yet related analyses: a hazards analysis, a vulnerability analysis, a behavioral analysis, a shelter analysis, and a transportation analysis. The analyses produce data that define hurricane hazards and responses.

Link to Report: Maryland Hurricane Evacuation Study (8 MB ZIP)

Instructions for Opening the .zip File:
The files are provided in the .zip format and additional software may be required, such as PKZIP^® or UnZip, a free, open-source unzipping utility. To uncompress the files, create a new folder, unzip all files, and click on index.htm to begin.

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Mid-Atlantic

Title: Hurricane Study: Atlantic Coast Delaware-Maryland Line to Gargathy Inlet, Virginia (October 1963)

Summary
This report presents a summary of the hurricane problem on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia from the Delaware-Maryland line to the southern boundary of the U.S. Army Engineer District, about 16 miles south of Chincoteague, Virginia. The authors present a plan of protection for the area, along with an economic analysis of the proposed protection recommendations. The purpose of the report is to aid area officials in the establishment of floodplain regulatory measures and evacuation procedures.

Link to Report: Hurricane Study: Atlantic Coast Delaware-Maryland Line to Gargathy Inlet, Virginia (48 MB PDF)

Title: Hurricane Survey: Chesapeake Bay, Potomac, and Rappahannock Rivers (June 1956)

Summary
This report presents a summary of the hurricane problem in the tidal area of the Washington District as determined from reconnaissance surveys and public hearings, and presents plans for continuation of the hurricane survey. The area covered by this report includes the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland from Cove Point to Point Lookout; portions of Virginia from Smith Point at the mouth of the Potomac River to Wolf Trap Light; and the tidal reaches of the Potomac, Rappahannock, Patuxent, and Piankatank Rivers.

Link to Report: Hurricane Survey: Chesapeake Bay, Potomac, and Rappahannock Rivers (7.6 MB PDF)

Title: Hurricane Survey: Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County, Virginia (February 1961)

Summary
This report presents the results from studies of hurricane tidal flooding and wave damage to the Town of Colonial Beach, Virginia, and adjacent areas. The purpose is to present the findings of this extended reconnaissance survey and recommendations for reduction of damages during future hurricanes.

Link to Report: Hurricane Survey: Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County, Virginia (2 MB PDF)

Title: Hurricane Survey: Hurricane Survey: Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area (May 1963)

Summary
This report concentrates on hurricane effects that are subject to modification by protective works, zoning, and evacuation. The study seeks to determine the extent of hurricane-induced tides, evaluate damages for various levels of flooding, determine the engineering and economic feasibility of protective works, and determine the need for zoning and evacuation plans.

Link to Report: Hurricane Survey: Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area (May 1963) (2.2 MB PDF)

Title: Hurricane Survey: Tidewater Portions of Patuxent, Potomac, and Rappahannock Rivers, including adjacent Chesapeake Bay Shoreline (May 1963)

Summary
This report includes a general appraisal of the hurricane problem related to the tidewater areas of the Patuxent, Potomac, and Rappahannock Rivers and portions of the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The report includes information from public hearings to aid in defining problem areas and to record the public's interests and desires. Also included is an assessment of probable damages, a compilation of information on the frequency of hurricane activity and attendant tidal flooding, and assessments of the need for floodplain regulatory measures, protective warning and evacuation procedures, and other possible means of reducing damages.

Link to Report: Tidewater Portions of Patuxent, Potomac, and Rappahannock Rivers, including adjacent Chesapeake Bay Shoreline (2 MB PDF)

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Mississippi

Title: Hurricane Evacuation Transportation Analysis for Hurricane Georges (February 2001)

Summary
This document is a restudy that was done in response to the impacts that Hurricane Georges had on the evacuees of the coastal Mississippi counties. It documents the basic findings from the study analysis and provides information that will be needed to better handle traffic during evacuations.

Link to Report: Hurricane Evacuation Transportation Analysis for Hurricane Georges (41.3 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: Mississippi Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report for Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties (April 2002)

Summary
The purpose of this hurricane evacuation study is to provide emergency management officials in Mississippi with information that could assist them in hurricane evacuation decision making. County and state agencies can use the technical data presented in this report to supplement their hurricane evacuation plans and operational procedures in responding to hurricane threats.

Link to Report: Mississippi Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report for Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties (91.2 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

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North Carolina

Title: North Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Restudy (2002)

Summary
The purpose of this hurricane evacuation restudy is to reevaluate the major factors that must be considered in hurricane preparedness and to provide North Carolina emergency management officials with timely, state of the art information for sound hurricane evacuation decision making. State and county agencies can use the technical data presented in this report to supplement or revise their hurricane evacuation plans and operational procedures, enabling them to more effectively respond to future hurricane threats.

Link to Report: North Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Report (272 MB ZIP)

Instructions for Opening the .zip File:
The files are provided in the .zip format and additional software may be required, such as PKZIP^® or UnZip, a free, open-source unzipping utility. To uncompress the files, create a new folder, unzip all files, and click on index.htm to begin.

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: Transportation Analysis Update for North Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Restudy for Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, And Onslow Counties (November 1996)

Summary
This report is an effort to continue to fine-tune North Carolina's hurricane preparedness and evacuation procedures. Some of the main objectives of this study were to count the population and dwelling units in certain areas and quantify their potential evacuation population, identify the existing evacuation roadway network and note improvements that have been made, determine the hurricane evacuation clearance times for each county, and convert study graphics to GIS format.

Link to Report: Transportation Analysis Update for North Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Restudy for Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, And Onslow Counties (35.2 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

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South Carolina

Title: South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report (December 1986)

Summary
The purpose of this study is to provide state and local emergency preparedness decision makers in South Carolina with the quantitative, realistic (real-time) data necessary for effecting safe, efficient evacuation of communities at risk in hurricane emergencies.

Link to Report: South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report (81.1 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Study Appendix II Behavioral Analyses (December 1986)

Summary
This report is based on the belief that place-specific survey results on people's intentions to respond to various threats can be combined with a careful analysis of what people have actually been observed to do in real situations in order to predict the behavior of the surrounding communities. This report uses a variety of methods and information in arriving at its recommendations on the behavioral assumptions which should be made in hurricane evacuation studies in South Carolina.

Link to Report: South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Study Appendix II Behavioral Analyses (4.8 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report Addendum (February 1987)

Summary
As a follow-up to the transportation analysis performed for the South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Study, several technical issues were reexamined to address specific concerns of local emergency preparedness directors. This technical addendum briefly describes the technical modifications made for five counties and then provides updated computer sheets of relevant evacuation statistics.

Link to Report: South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Study: Technical Data Report Addendum (3.3 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

Title: South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Restudy: Technical Data Report (June 2000)

Summary
The purpose of this hurricane evacuation study is to provide emergency management officials in South Carolina with information that could assist them in hurricane evacuation decision making. The technical data presented in this report can be used by county and state agencies to supplement their hurricane evacuation plans and operational procedures in response to future hurricane threats.

Link to Report: South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Restudy: Technical Data Report (670 MB ZIP)

Instructions for Opening the .zip File:
The files are provided in the .zip format and additional software may be required, such as PKZIP^® or UnZip, a free, open-source unzipping utility. To uncompress the files, create a new folder, unzip all files, and click on readmet.txt to begin.

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

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HES Technical Guidelines

Title: Technical Guidelines for Hurricane Evacuation Studies (September 1995)

Summary
This document was prepared using previous hurricane evacuation study procedures and is intended to be a flexible framework with which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can effectively develop important information and translate it to local officials. A broad use of these guidelines should provide uniformity of terminology and content to a complex study process.

Link to Report: Technical Guidelines for Hurricane Evacuation Studies (14.5 MB PDF)

Request Hard Copy Report through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The original report is available through interlibrary loan from the NOAA Coastal Services Center Library. Follow this link to order the Interlibrary Loan report.

If you do not have access to a computer with a DVD drive, e-mail csc@csc.noaa.gov to request specific reports on CD-ROM. Please note that only several reports will fit onto a CD-ROM.

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