As Hurricane Michael speeds toward Florida, some of the most vulnerable residents in the state brace for what could be their most intense hit in over a decade. As a general rule of thumb, Floridians know hurricanes, but Michael poses severe threats, and mandatory evacuations are underway.
Michael is already a Category 3 hurricane and expected to land midday Wednesday. By landfall, peak winds may rise to 125 mph. Florida, Alabama, and Georgia have all declared states of emergency in advance of the storm.
The Florida Panhandle, ranging from Pensacola to Apalachicola, is at major risk. This part of the state has a relatively weak infrastructure and limited protection on the coasts.
Low-income families are among the most vulnerable in facing Michael. Homes in low-lying areas, and especially mobile homes, are at an increased risk of damage to begin with. Unfortunately, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damages from flooding; renters and owners alike must invest in separate flood insurance via the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program.
In high-risk zones, this additional flood insurance can cost thousands, meaning that some low-income families simply go without. The policies also often take 30 days to go into effect, meaning that a low-income family cannot simply pay just ahead of when they are likely to actually need it.
Homeowners without flood insurance sometimes look to FEMA for grant assistance with temporary housing, medical and funeral expenses, and emergency home repairs.
Storm surges of ocean water, severe winds, and flooding are likely to begin Tuesday evening. Power outages, structural damage, and damaged trees are all possibilities.
The governor of Florida, Rick Scott, already tweeted a reminder for people told to evacuate to do so:
Of course, evacuations are easier said than done. Between the cost of gas, lodging, and time off from work, evacuations can feel impossible for low-income people. Accessibility can also be a logical nightmare during an evacuation, causing some people with disabilities, the elderly, or those with vulnerable dependents, like children or pets, to consider staying to ride out potential natural disasters.
Unlike Florence, Michael is advancing fast. Where people had five days to prepare for Florence, whether by evacuations or protecting their homes, residents have just two days to decide their course of action with Michael, as weather conditions transitioned from a tropical storm to a hurricane on Monday. For people with less economic freedom or mobility, this short turnaround can be especially limiting.
Also notable is that Gov. Scott himself passed a law that undermined Florida’s once-heightened building codes. After Hurricane Andrew decimated the state in 1992, many felt that higher standards for building codes would save both money and lives in the long run. However, in 2017, Gov. Scott passed a law that made it much easier for builders and contractors to work within more lax codes. This means, of course, that as Michael barrels down on an already vulnerable, largely low-income population, their homes may not be as secure as possible to begin with.
President Trump did tweet his concerns for Florida this afternoon:
Given his current track record with providing disaster relief to vulnerable communities, his words are far from reassuring.
Michael may cause severe flooding conditions for states still recovering from Hurricane Florence, including the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia, as well.