### Florida Prepares for Hurricane Helene, Faces Challenges in Evacuation Efforts

As Hurricane Helene gathers strength, Florida's local and state officials have sprung into action, urging residents to evacuate promptly. "We are going to have a significant impact from this storm," stated Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at a Wednesday morning press conference. However, leaving the path of a hurricane is often easier said than done for many residents in storm-prone regions.

First responders, individuals working in animal shelters, people with disabilities, those facing language barriers, and others may find evacuation particularly challenging. "Evacuation is not as easy as it may seem if you are outside of the evacuation area," remarked Cara Cuite, a specialist at Rutgers University, in an interview with NPR in 2022. Cuite, who studied evacuation decisions during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, noted the complexities that people face during such emergencies. She emphasized that people with disabilities, those with pets, or those lacking transportation and financial resources might find it nearly impossible to leave.

Financial constraints compound the difficulty of evacuating. "Many modest- to low-income households simply don't have the cash or credit," explained Joshua Behr, a research professor at Old Dominion University, in a 2018 NPR interview. Returning home and paying the rent or mortgage becomes an additional burden for these families. Behr pointed out that the poorest residents often wait until the last moment to evacuate, finding few affordable accommodations remaining.

Language barriers add another layer of complexity to evacuation planning. Though emergency warnings are commonly provided in English and Spanish, they do not cover all language needs. Florida is home to more than 400,000 households that primarily speak Haitian Creole, and thousands more who speak languages like Portuguese, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Arabic, German, Russian, and Italian. "While looking at an evacuation map in Florida, I saw they have it in both English and Spanish and thought, 'OK, that's great.' But also, there are people who may not speak either language," Cuite mentioned.

Literacy levels are another concern. "Some people may not be able to read, which makes things like finding their evacuation zone a challenge," said Cuite. Elderly residents living independently in flood-prone areas may also need extra assistance. John Renne, a professor at Florida Atlantic University, argued that social service organizations and nonprofits should play a role in helping such residents evacuate. "The more we can bring in social service organizations, nonprofit organizations to help them with their evacuation, even if it's only for a few miles, the more prepared and the better everyone will be," Renne suggested.

With Hurricane Helene posing a serious threat, Florida's officials are urging residents to act swiftly, but the reality of evacuation remains fraught with barriers for many.