Living in a manufactured home in Port St. Lucie during hurricane season: when to leave and where to go

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. That means about seven more weeks of watching the tropics. If you live in a mobile or manufactured home in Port St. Lucie, this guide is for you. That includes the many 55+ communities in town, like Savanna Club. The rules for your home are different from the rules for a block house down the street.

The county rule: leave for any hurricane

St. Lucie County’s disaster guide is clear. It says mobile homes, manufactured homes and RVs “must be evacuated county-wide for any hurricane.” This is true even if you live far from the beach. It is true even if your home has tie-downs. The guide says these homes may not stand up to hurricane winds or flying debris.

The City of Port St. Lucie says the same thing. Its storm page says people in mobile homes “should always evacuate to a public shelter or stay with relatives or friends.” The city also says older residents and people with health needs should evacuate.

Where to go if you need a shelter

Not every shelter opens for every storm. The county decides which ones to open based on the storm. Before Hurricane Milton in October 2024, the county opened three shelters:

• Treasure Coast High School, 1000 SW Darwin Blvd., Port St. Lucie. It took people and pets.
• Westwood High School, 1801 Panther Lane, Fort Pierce. It took people and pets. The county’s guide lists Westwood as its pet-friendly shelter.
• Havert L. Fenn Center, 2000 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce. This is the special-needs shelter.

To find which shelters are open during a storm, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362. You can also call the county’s public information line at (772) 460-4357. Bring soap, hand sanitizer and wipes, along with food, water, medicine and important papers.

If you have a dog or cat

Most shelters do not take pets. Only the pet-friendly shelters do. During Milton, only dogs and cats were allowed. Pets stay in crates, in a separate area from people. Owners can visit at set times to feed and care for them. Shelters had some crates, but you can bring your own crate, food and supplies. Bring proof of your pet’s rabies shot, too. If your pet is not used to a crate, start practicing now.

Sign up for alerts and special-needs help

Alert St. Lucie is the county’s free warning system. It sends messages before, during and after a storm. Sign up at stlucieco.gov/alert. Do it today, while the weather is calm.

If you need help with a medical condition, you can register for the county’s special-needs shelter. Register online at stlucieco.gov/specialneeds or call (772) 462-8100. Your doctor or medical equipment company can help fill out the form. A family member or caregiver must stay with you at the shelter. Bring your medicines in their bottles and any equipment, like oxygen. If you need a ride to the shelter, say so when you register.

Check your tie-downs before the next storm

Tie-downs are the straps and ground anchors that hold your home to the ground. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says homes without proper tie-downs are less able to stand up to high winds. Florida rules say all mobile and manufactured home installs must be done by a licensed mobile home installer. Lee County’s emergency office says to check tie-downs at least once a year. Walk around your home and look for these things:

• Loose straps, or straps pulled at an angle instead of straight.
• Rust or damage on straps or ground anchors. Those parts should be replaced.
• Missing tie-downs. Your home should have the right number for its size.
• Support piers that no longer touch the frame of the home.

Florida’s anchoring rules are in Chapter 15C-1 of the state code. They set stronger anchor rules for homes built after July 13, 1994 than for older homes. Homes with two or more sections, like most double-wides, also need ties where the sections join. If anything looks wrong, have a licensed installer check it. The state keeps a list of licensed installers.

What to do before November 30

1. Sign up for Alert St. Lucie at stlucieco.gov/alert.
2. If you have medical needs, register at stlucieco.gov/specialneeds or call (772) 462-8100.
3. Pick a friend or family member with a sturdy home where you can stay. Pick a second place, too.
4. Save the shelter text tip in your phone: text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362.
5. Save the county information line: (772) 460-4357.
6. If you have a pet, get a crate, food and rabies papers ready.
7. Walk around your home and check your straps, anchors and piers.
8. For questions about tie-down rules or installers, call the state’s Manufactured Housing Section at (850) 617-3004.
9. Pack a go-bag with three days of food, one gallon of water per person per day, medicines in their bottles, glasses, papers and a flashlight.

When officials tell people in mobile homes to leave, go right away. Fill your gas tank early. Traffic can add hours to a short drive. Leaving early is the safest choice you can make.