Safety & Emergency Planning

Evacuation Planning for Older Adults and People With Disabilities in South Florida

By GSA Home Care, LLC Team  |  5 min read  |  May 2026

The hardest part of evacuation planning for older adults and people with disabilities isn't packing. It's the logistics that healthy, mobile adults don't have to think about.

How do you evacuate if you don't drive? What happens if the shelter isn't equipped for your loved one's medical needs? What if a storm forms quickly and there isn't much time? And what does a caregiver do — stay or go?

These are the questions to answer now, in the calm, so you're not answering them under pressure.

Step 1: Know Your Zone — Before Anyone Tells You to Leave

Florida uses an evacuation zone system from A through F. Zone A is highest-risk (coastal, storm surge areas). Zone F is lowest.

You can find your zone in two ways:

• Online: floridadisaster.org/knowyourzone — enter your address
• By phone: Call your county's Emergency Management office

Write the zone down. Post it somewhere visible. Tell family members what it is.

When an evacuation order is issued, it will name which zones must leave. Don't wait to be told your zone is called — if you're in Zone A or B, begin preparations the moment a storm enters the forecast cone.

Step 2: Register for the Special Needs Registry

If your loved one has a medical condition, disability, or functional need that makes independent evacuation difficult, Florida's Special Needs Shelter program exists specifically for them.

Registering connects your loved one with:

• Transportation assistance if they have no way to evacuate
• Access to a special needs shelter with generators, medical staff, and facilities for people with complex care requirements
• Early notification when evacuation orders are coming

Registration is free and must be done in advance. You cannot register during a storm.

Each county has its own process:

• Broward: broward.org/emergency → "Special Needs Registry" or call (954) 831-3900
• Palm Beach: Call (561) 712-6400 or visit pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem
• Martin: Call (772) 288-5700 or visit martin.fl.us/emergency-management
• St. Lucie: Call (772) 462-8100 or visit stlucieco.gov/emergency-management
• Indian River: Call (772) 226-4600 or visit ircgov.com/public-safety/emergency-services
• Okeechobee: Call (863) 763-5548 or visit okeechobeecountyfl.gov/emergency-management

Register by May 31 each year — don't wait for a named storm.

Step 3: Build Your Evacuation Plan

Answer these questions now, in writing:

Where will you go?

• Option 1: Family or friends outside the evacuation zone
• Option 2: A hotel or motel inland (book early — they fill up fast)
• Option 3: A public general shelter or special needs shelter

Identify at least two options. Know the address and route for each.

How will you get there?

• Do you have a vehicle that fits the wheelchair or mobility equipment?
• Is there a family member or neighbor who can help transport?
• If you have no transportation, is the person registered with the Special Needs Registry for county-provided transport?
• Is there a caregiver who will travel with your loved one?

How much time do you need?

Honest answer: evacuation takes longer when mobility is limited. A trip that normally takes 90 minutes can take 5+ hours during a storm evacuation. Add time for getting a person ready, loading equipment, and filling the car. Plan to leave earlier than you think you need to.

Who knows the plan?

• Family members (especially those who may be called if you can't reach each other)
• The regular caregiver
• Neighbors
• Your care coordination team

Write the plan on one page, laminate it, and keep it with your emergency documents.

Caregiver Evacuation Considerations

This is something many families don't think through until it matters.

Caregivers are people too — they have their own families, their own evacuation zone, and their own responsibilities. It's not reasonable to expect a caregiver to stay through a dangerous storm without a prior agreement about what the plan is.

What to discuss before storm season:

• What is the caregiver's plan if an evacuation order is issued?
• If the client is evacuating, will the caregiver travel with them? Up to what point?
• What's the protocol for communicating during and after the storm?
• What's the backup plan if the regular caregiver cannot come?

GSA Home Care clients: please contact us to discuss continuity-of-care planning before hurricane season. We take this seriously and want to help families think through it clearly.

What Happens at a Special Needs Shelter

Special needs shelters are not the same as general population shelters. They're designed for people who cannot be cared for in a standard shelter setting.

What you can generally expect:

• Backup generator power for medical equipment
• Medical personnel or nursing oversight on site
• Climate control (important for medications and heat-sensitive conditions)
• Space for wheelchairs and mobility equipment
• Basic personal care support

What to bring:

• All medications (7-day supply) in original labeled containers
• Medical equipment (CPAP, oxygen, feeding pumps, etc.) — with written instructions for staff
• Medical supplies (catheters, ostomy supplies, dressings)
• Written list of diagnoses, medications, allergies, and care routines
• Insurance card and medical ID
• Comfort items (familiar blanket, photos, small activity items)
• Personal hygiene supplies
• Snacks and food for dietary restrictions not covered by shelter meals

Arrive early. Shelters fill, staff need time to process arrivals, and your loved one will settle in more easily if there's time to get oriented before things get busy.

After the Storm: Returning Home

The storm ending doesn't mean it's immediately safe to return.

• Wait for the official all-clear from your county emergency management office
• Check your home for structural damage before entering
• Document any damage with photos before touching anything (for insurance)
• Watch for standing water — it may contain sewage or chemical contaminants
• Don't use tap water until local officials confirm it's safe
• If power is still out: check with the pharmacist about any medications that were stored at room temperature during the outage; some may need to be replaced
• Reconnect with your care team and update them on your status