Hurricanes force some Floridians to face the impossible cost of evacuating

Even with life-threatening hurricanes approaching, many Floridians are trapped by high evacuation costs, from flights and hotels to rental cars and gas shortages.

Whizy Kim reports for Vox.

In short:

• Many Floridians can't afford to evacuate, with 43% having less than $1,000 saved for emergencies.
• Dynamic pricing makes last-minute flights, hotel stays and rental cars far more expensive just before hurricanes hit.
• Free shelters and transportation exist, but many struggle to access them, especially those with pets or family needs.

Key quote:

“You may need to have social support, potentially, if you want to stay with family and friends who are outside of the area. You have to have the ability to leave your job.”

— Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, research associate at the Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado Boulder

Why this matters:

Climate disasters increasingly highlight the socioeconomic divide, as poorer communities face greater challenges in evacuating and rebuilding. Addressing these inequities can save lives during future storms.