Evacuation Routes

Bridges

Travel across the area's bridges becomes unsafe once winds reach gale force, or in excess of 34 mph. Even if physical barricades are not present, drivers should exercise common sense when prestorm travels involve crossing bridges.

Evacuation orders for Southwest Florida's barrier islands will be issued well in advance of a storm, and those affected should promptly heed such orders, before travel across bridges becomes unsafe.

Boaters should heed storm warnings if plans to take their craft to safe harbor involve passing under a drawbridge. Emergency officials say drawbridges will be closed eight hours prior to the forecasted winds hitting the area. Although bridge tenders will be present, bridges will not be opened for boats.

"If boaters wait until eight hours before galeforce winds hit, it will be too late to get (a boat) to a safe place," says Barry Dragon, chief of bridge operations for the Florida Department of Transportation.