Florida’s 511 Traveler Information System

Emergency Info
Florida’s 511 Traveler Information System is one of the most effective ways drivers can keep informed about roadway conditions during severe weather, evacuations and emergencies. 511 Emergency Information When hurricanes, severe weather, wildfires and other emergencies threaten Florida, a free phone call to 511 provides evacuation and emergency travel information. Callers will get important information regarding affected counties, cities, roadways and agencies. 511 is a valuable tool providing real-time, locally generated reports regarding: Major evacuation routes, road and bridge closures and toll suspensions AMBER, Silver and LEO alerts Traffic information on interstates; toll roads, including Florida’s Turnpike; and many other major roadways Traffic cameras and personalized services Tips for Using 511 in an Emergency Call 511 for up-to-the-minute reports on major evacuation routes, bridge and road closures due to hazardous conditions and roadways with toll suspensions Sign up for free My Florida 511 personalized services to preprogram several evacuation routes. When an evacuation is called for, assess road conditions and congestion along each route to select the best one Visit FL511.com to view regularly updated camera images of major highways and bridges that may be affected by severe weather Driving in Low-Visibility Wildfires, smoke, fog and heavy rain can all lower visibility on the roads. It is important for drivers to drive as safely as possible in these conditions. The Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) give these tips for driving in low visibility conditions: Call 511 — Call 511 to get up-to-the-minute reports on roadway conditions, including emergency evacuation and toll-suspension information Slow Down — Fog and smoke create a visual illusion of slow motion for the driver and reduce visibility. Most fog or smoke related crashes result from unsafe speeds Stay Alert — Watch out for slow-moving or stopped vehicles Reduce Distractions — Turn off the radio and cell phones while driving through smoke and fog. Your full attention is required while driving through heavy rain, smoke or fog Use Appropriate Lighting — Use low beam headlights or fog lights when driving. Do not use your car’s high beam headlights, which can reflect off fog or smoke, or hazard (flashing) lights, which should only be used while parked Be Patient — Avoid passing or changing lanes unless absolutely necessary Do Not Stop — Unless absolutely necessary, do not stop on a freeway or other heavily traveled roads. If you must stop, signal early and move as far off the road as possible. Once stopped, turn on your hazard lights, exit the vehicle and move as far away as possible SERT and Emergency Planning FDOT is a member of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT). For more information on SERT and to make a plan for your home, family or business during a disaster, visit http://www.floridadisaster.org/. Helpful Links Emergency management offices by county Evacuation route maps by county Hurricane safety tips from the Florida Highway Patrol

Emergency Info

Florida’s 511 Traveler Information System is one of the most effective ways drivers can keep informed about roadway conditions during severe weather, evacuations and emergencies.

511 Emergency Information

When hurricanes, severe weather, wildfires and other emergencies threaten Florida, a free phone call to 511 provides evacuation and emergency travel information. Callers will get important information regarding affected counties, cities, roadways and agencies.

511 is a valuable tool providing real-time, locally generated reports regarding:

Major evacuation routes, road and bridge closures and toll suspensions
AMBER, Silver and LEO alerts
Traffic information on interstates; toll roads, including Florida’s Turnpike; and many other major roadways
Traffic cameras and personalized services

Tips for Using 511 in an Emergency

Call 511 for up-to-the-minute reports on major evacuation routes, bridge and road closures due to hazardous conditions and roadways with toll suspensions
Sign up for free My Florida 511 personalized services to preprogram several evacuation routes. When an evacuation is called for, assess road conditions and congestion along each route to select the best one
Visit FL511.com to view regularly updated camera images of major highways and bridges that may be affected by severe weather

Driving in Low-Visibility

Wildfires, smoke, fog and heavy rain can all lower visibility on the roads. It is important for drivers to drive as safely as possible in these conditions. The Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) give these tips for driving in low visibility conditions:

Call 511 — Call 511 to get up-to-the-minute reports on roadway conditions, including emergency evacuation and toll-suspension information
Slow Down — Fog and smoke create a visual illusion of slow motion for the driver and reduce visibility. Most fog or smoke related crashes result from unsafe speeds
Stay Alert — Watch out for slow-moving or stopped vehicles
Reduce Distractions — Turn off the radio and cell phones while driving through smoke and fog. Your full attention is required while driving through heavy rain, smoke or fog
Use Appropriate Lighting — Use low beam headlights or fog lights when driving. Do not use your car’s high beam headlights, which can reflect off fog or smoke, or hazard (flashing) lights, which should only be used while parked
Be Patient — Avoid passing or changing lanes unless absolutely necessary
Do Not Stop — Unless absolutely necessary, do not stop on a freeway or other heavily traveled roads. If you must stop, signal early and move as far off the road as possible. Once stopped, turn on your hazard lights, exit the vehicle and move as far away as possible

SERT and Emergency Planning

FDOT is a member of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT). For more information on SERT and to make a plan for your home, family or business during a disaster, visit http://www.floridadisaster.org/.

Helpful Links

Emergency management offices by county
Evacuation route maps by county
Hurricane safety tips from the Florida Highway Patrol