Hurricane Helene is targeting Florida and experts predict it could quickly develop into a major hurricane before making landfall on Thursday.

Impacts predicted for Florida’s Gulf Coast include life-threatening storm surges and flooding.

“There is a risk of life-threatening storm surge for Apalachee Bay. The storm surge could arrive as early as late Wednesday evening before the first winds,” the National Weather Service Tallahassee said.

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“If this prediction comes true, this is a nightmarish scenario for Apalachee Bay. Please, please, please take all evacuation orders seriously!”

And the threat of storm surge is not limited to the area around Big Bend, where landfall is expected – the entire Gulf Coast is at risk.

But how do you know if you live in an evacuation zone and what is the difference between Zone A and Zone F?

Here you will find answers to your questions.

Radar images of Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene: What you need to know

What you should know about hurricanes if you live in Florida

• Do you live in an evacuation zone?

• Do you live in a low-lying area prone to flooding?

• Do you live in a mobile home?

• Do you live on the barrier island?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be asked by authorities to evacuate before a storm.

Know your home. Homes built after 2002 generally have measures in place to make them more structurally stable in the event of a hurricane. Check the Florida Building Code for more details.

If you live in a home that is only accessible by bridge, be aware that emergency officials generally close bridges to traffic when winds reach a certain speed.

Due to the threat of an approaching hurricane, residents of trailer parks are asked to leave their homes and move to safer locations.

How do you find out if you live in an evacuation zone?

You can find out if and which evacuation zone you are in on the Florida Division of Emergency Management website.

Go to the website and enter your address. If your home is in one of the colored areas, these are flood zones where you may be asked to evacuate by local authorities.

What colors do the evacuation zones on the map mean?

Typically, Zone A is the most at risk and is likely to be ordered to evacuate first. Zone F is most likely to be evacuated last.

The greatest danger from hurricanes is storm surge

The greatest threat to life comes from storm surge, not wind, according to officials at the National Hurricane Center and Emergency Management.

If you live in an evacuation zone, flood-prone area, or mobile home and local authorities issue an evacuation order, plan to leave your home.

When is hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30.

How do you prepare for a hurricane? What supplies are needed?

The basic items you should have on hand include:

• Non-perishable food for the last two weeks.

• One gallon of drinking water per person per day, for at least one week.

• Canned vegetables and fruits.

• Dried fruits

• Ready meals

• Snacks

• Snack spreads

• Grain.

• Flashlights

• Batteries

• Mobile phone chargers

• Battery powered radio

• NOAA Emergency Weather Radio

• Garbage bags

• Fire extinguisher

• Battery-operated lanterns

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida evacuation zones by address: Find out if your home is in a flood zone