by Dawn Kitterman

Florida residents and visitors are often confused about the difference between a property’s flood zone and evacuation zone. The purpose of each zone is very different and understanding the differences could be life-saving.

On Saturday morning, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began issuing warnings for the fourteenth tropical depression to form during this Atlantic hurricane season.

The NHC/NOAA forecasts the tropical cyclone will strengthen into a strong hurricane before making landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast, and local officials are monitoring updates on the storm’s potential future impact on Manatee County.

Both hurricane and storm surge warnings could be issued for parts of Florida– including Manatee County – as early as Sunday. Local emergency management officials may issue evacuation orders for coastal and lowland areas in advance of a predicted storm surge threat.

So what is the difference between an evacuation zone and a flood zone?

There is a big difference between these two property zoning designations, and although they are often confused as being the same or related, this is not the case.

The designation of a flood zone is related to the risk of freshwater flooding of the property by rain. The flood zone is relevant every day of the year and at any time when severe weather is forecast to produce amounts of precipitation that can lead to flooding of any extent.

An evacuation zone (also called an “evacuation level”) is designated due to the risk of saltwater flooding from a storm surge. An evacuation zone is only relevant during a tropical cyclone event where storm force winds may push sea/gulf waters over dry coastal areas along barrier islands, bays and harbors. Storm surges can also flood dry inland areas by pushing water into streams and rivers.

An evacuation zone or stage comes into play when local emergency management officials order evacuations due to a storm surge threat from an impending tropical cyclone (tropical storm or hurricane). Storm surge has historically been the leading cause of hurricane deaths in the United States.

Check out the flood zone map for Manatee County below. Note that many parts, even on the west coast of the county, are designated Flood Zone X – moderate or low risk of flooding.

Now check out the evacuation zone/level map for Manatee County below. Many other parts of the county have been assigned evacuation levels, including almost all western parts of the county, with designations extending to some eastern parts inland.


As the maps show, a home can be in a no-evacuation zone but still be in a high flood risk zone due to a nearby stream, river or other body of water. Alternatively, a home could be in a low-risk flood zone but still be in an early evacuation zone due to the risk of storm surge flooding.

That’s why it’s important to know both your flood zone and your evacuation zone and the difference between them.

Flood zones have nothing to do with hurricanes, everything to do with your property insurance and construction needs. FEMA maps flood plains for use in the National Flood Insurance Program.

In Manatee County, these zones are classified as Zones A, AE, VE (all high risk), and Zone X, which can be moderate or low risk.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is mapping evacuation zones. It identifies areas potentially affected by storm surges and wind-driven saltwater, which can inundate dry land and endanger lives during a tropical cyclone.

In Manatee County, evacuation zones/levels are classified as zones A, B, C, D or E. Some parts of the county may not be in an evacuation zone.

In the event of a tropical cyclone, Level A residents will be evacuated first. If a property is on two different levels, authorities recommend designating the lowest level when evacuating.

Ideally, residents should know their evacuation zone before hurricane season, but during a hurricane or major storm, this information is especially important in knowing when to evacuate.

Residents should identify their flood zones when renting, owning or purchasing a property to understand the property’s flood risk and whether they need to purchase flood insurance. This information is also important when submitting applications for construction/renovation permits.

To learn more about Manatee County’s evacuation zones/levels, including your property’s level, visit mymanatee.org and select the “Emergency Management” menu option on the Department of Public Safety site or Click here.

Residents can also determine their evacuation level using a county address search tool Extreme weather dashboard.

To learn more about Manatee County’s floodplains and access the county’s interactive floodplain map, visit mymanatee.org and select the “Floodplain Management” menu option on the Department of Development Services page, or Click here.

Manatee County residents can register to receive emergency updates during a visit, including evacuation notifications, weather alerts, hazardous traffic or road conditions and more Attentive manatee. Registered residents can choose to receive notifications by phone, text or email.

Here you will find the latest updates on a tropical cyclone, the official forecast, watches and warnings, and the expected impact on our visit to the region www.nhc.noaa.gov or the Tampa Bay NWS at www.weather.gov/tbw/.

Residents should also follow local meteorologists and news channels and heed warnings from local emergency management officials.

For official storm information for Manatee County, including sandbag locations, shelters open, local closures and more, visit mymanatee.org/storm.

Residents can also follow Manatee County government, Manatee County Public Safety, local municipalities and local law enforcement on social media to stay up to date on storm threats and local responses.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th.