Hurricanes, Evacuations, and Co-Parenting Schedules

Living in Port St. Lucie and the surrounding Treasure Coast means enjoying beautiful weather much of the year, but it also means preparing for hurricane season. Running from June 1 through November 30, hurricane season brings the potential for strong storms that can disrupt everyday life, including court-ordered parenting time and custody arrangements.

Navigating custody schedules during evacuations or weather emergencies can be stressful. Understanding how hurricanes can affect co-parenting and what steps can be taken ahead of time can help parents make calm, informed decisions in uncertain times. Contact a trusted Port St. Lucie family law attorney to make sure your parenting plan is storm-ready.

Proactive Steps Parents Can Take

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, a rapidly rotating storm system that forms over warm ocean waters. These storms are classified into categories (1 to 5) based on wind speed, with Category 3 and above considered to be major weather events. Along the Treasure Coast, residents may face power outages, road closures, flooding, and mandatory evacuation orders when a storm makes landfall or threatens the area.

For co-parents, hurricanes introduce immediate and practical concerns. Adults need to assess if exchanges are safe during the storm, what happens if one parent is required to evacuate and the other is not, and how communication will take place if power is lost due to outages.

Planning is key. Parents need to know how to respond when weather threatens and should avoid last-minute decisions made in fear or frustration.

• Include emergency clauses in parenting plans. When creating or modifying a parenting plan, parents can include language addressing how hurricanes, evacuations, or natural disasters will be handled. For example, the plan can specify who the child stays with in the event of a storm, where the child will be relocated, and how make-up time will be addressed.
• Maintain open communication. Before a storm hits, co-parents should be in contact to discuss potential adjustments to the schedule. Using parenting apps or written agreements can help keep communication clear and respectful.
• Plan for evacuation. Each household should have a hurricane plan, including evacuation routes and emergency contacts. Parents should share this information with one another, particularly if they plan to leave the area with the child.
• Document everything. In the event of a disagreement or disruption in parenting time, it’s important to document communications and decisions made. This protects both parents and helps courts understand what occurred if a dispute arises later.

If you co-parent a child, save yourself from future stress and prepare for hurricane season. A Port St. Lucie family law attorney can help you update or create a parenting plan that takes emergencies into account, ensuring you have the legal tools to protect your child’s well-being, even when the weather is unpredictable.

Connect with a Legal Expert

Is there weather emergency language in your parenting plan? Whether you are creating a parenting plan or want to make adjustments to one that has already been drafted, speak with the attorneys at Baginski, Brandt & Brandt. Professionals are available to help. Contact us today to schedule your confidential consultation.