When You Can't Afford To Evacuate
Sep 13, 2025
Let’s talk about something we don’t talk about enough. Actually, I’ve never really seen it addressed.
What happens if a hurricane is coming... or a wildfire... or a flood…
And you can’t afford to evacuate?
Not that you don’t want to go. Not that you're trying to be brave or stubborn.
But that you literally don’t have the money to leave.
It’s a terrifying and very real situation. And it’s one that thousands of people face every single time disaster strikes.
So let’s talk about it. Not from a place of judgment, but from a place of truth. Because budgeting and financial planning aren’t just about cutting lattes or paying off debt. Sometimes, they’re about surviving.
💔 The Harsh Reality for a lot of people
Evacuating sounds simple—until you break down what it actually costs:
- Gas to get out of town
- A place to stay (hotel, Airbnb, whatever’s left)
- Food while you’re gone
- Missing work (and not getting paid for it)
- Pet care, if you can’t bring them
- And that’s assuming you even have a car
That’s hundreds—maybe thousands—of dollars you need immediately. And if you’re already living paycheck to paycheck? That money doesn’t exist.
And when the official advice is: “Just evacuate”, it can feel like people are saying, “Just fly to Paris for a quick long weekend.” Like… sure. Let me hop on that jet with my emergency fund I don’t have.
😞 Stuck Between Safety and Affordability
If you’ve ever stayed behind during a natural disaster because you couldn’t afford to leave, I want to be very clear: you are not a failure. You are not irresponsible. You are not “asking for it.”
You were making the best choice you could with what you had.
But now—if we can—we plan. Not because we’re scared, but because we want to have options.
💡 So What Can You Do?
Let’s be real: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. But here are some steps to prepare financially, even if you're starting from zero.
- Add Evacuation Funds to Your Emergency Fund
This is different than your “new tires” emergency. This is your “get out of town right now” stash. Start with $100. Add $10 when you can. This is not about shame. It’s about having choices when things go sideways.
- Plan a Low-Cost Evacuation Option
Know in advance:
- Where could you go?
- Who could you stay with?
- What public shelters are available?
Even making a list ahead of time gives you more power in the moment.
- Build a Go Bag—and a Budget List
Your go bag isn’t just water and batteries—it’s also:
- Copies of IDs
- Cash or a prepaid debit card if possible
- A list of what you would need to pay for in an evacuation (gas, hotel, food)
This isn’t paranoia. This is peace of mind.
- Talk to Your Community
Neighbors, family, friends—if you’ve got even one trusted person nearby, make a plan together. One car can carry two families. Someone else’s emergency fund might become your escape plan. We are stronger together. Always.
💬 Why This Matters
Because every time there’s a disaster, you hear the same heartbreaking stories:
“They stayed behind.”
“They didn’t make it out.”
“They didn’t think it would get that bad.”
But sometimes, it’s not that people didn’t think it would get that bad—it’s that they couldn’t afford to leave even if they knew it would be that bad.
And no one should have to choose between going into debt… or staying behind.
We prepare not because we expect disaster—but so that if it comes, we’re not powerless. We don’t wait until it’s too late. We plan now, even in small steps.
You’re not behind. You’re just starting where you are—with what you have—and that’s enough.
So if you’ve never thought about adding “evacuation money” to your budget, now’s the time. Even if it’s $5 a week. That’s not “just $5.” That’s money towards a tank of gas down the road. That’s a night in a motel. That’s a choice you didn’t have before.
If you’ve been through this—or you’re in it now—I see you. You’re not alone. You’re not irresponsible. You’re doing your best. And your best is valid.
Let’s keep talking about the real side of money.
