A recent Sun Sentinel article (August 16, 2025) raised a critical question: should high-rise residents stay during a Category 5 hurricane—or evacuate? While some concrete-and-steel buildings are designed to endure extreme winds, experts caution that evacuation is often the safest choice due to risks like flooding, power outages, debris, and limited emergency response access.
Why Evacuation Is the Safer Option
- Category 5 winds exceed 157 mph, capable of causing catastrophic building damage—especially when combined with storm surge and flooding Wikipedia.
- Even structurally sound high-rises can become unsafe due to broken glass, elevator failures, prolonged power loss, or compromised emergency systems.
- Emergency officials consistently advise evacuating when warned, as delays can become life-threatening AP News.
Insurance: Know What’s Covered—and What’s Not
If you’re a high-rise condo owner in Florida, it’s crucial to understand how insurance works before disaster strikes:
- Condo Association (Master) Policy
Typically covers the building’s exterior and common elements, like walls, roof, and lobby. Windstorm and hazard coverage is mandatory for Florida coastal associations—though some may attempt to exclude wind coverage, this generally requires member approval Williams Law. - Your Individual HO‑6 (Unit‑Owners) Policy
Covers what’s inside your bare walls—including walls, floors, ceilings, personal belongings, loss of use, liability, and assessments from damage to shared areas Slide InsuranceMerlin Law Group.- It’s vital to confirm that your policy includes windstorm damages, hurricane deductibles, and loss assessment coverage.
- Hurricane Deductible Details
Florida requires insurers to offer hurricane deducibles—often fixed dollar amounts ($500) or percentages (2%, 5%, 10% of dwelling limit) myfloridacfo.com. Know your deductible and how it applies to each claim. - Coverage Gaps Can Be Costly
Without proper HO-6 coverage, you could be left footing the bill for interior repairs, replacement of belongings, temporary living expenses, or fees levied by your association.
What You Can Do Now
- Review both your association’s policy and your HO-6 policy—especially coverage for wind, content, loss assessments, temporary living expenses, and liability.
- Clarify your hurricane deductible: Understand its amount, how it’s applied, and if it resets each storm season.
- Assess gaps or overlaps—for example, if your unit’s walls-in coverage is inadequate or if your personal property isn’t fully protected.
Let Barefoot Insurance Brokers Help
Improve your storm preparedness and peace of mind with expert guidance:
- Schedule a policy review with Barefoot Insurance Brokers to ensure your HO-6 coverage aligns with your building association’s master policy.
- We also offer tailored quotes for your condominium association’s insurance, helping you compare and secure the right scope and pricing.
- Located in Florida, we specialize in hurricane-savvy coverage—our clients get clarity and confidence before the next storm hits.
In summary: Evacuating during a Category 5 storm is the prudent choice—even in well-built high-rises. But beyond evacuation, being insurance-ready is just as critical. Don’t wait until it’s too late—connect with Barefoot Insurance Brokers now to review and shore up your coverage.
About the Author
Julia Dourvetakis is a Licensed Independent Insurance Agent with Barefoot Insurance Brokers, bringing over 30 years of experience to the insurance industry. She specializes in coastal property insurance, workers’ compensation, Condo Association Packages, general liability, and professional liability coverage. Julia is licensed to sell commercial insurance products in Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Colorado. To connect with Julia for tailored insurance solutions, email her at julia@barefootins.com or call/text 954-866-5723.