The National Hurricane Program (NHP) conducts Hurricane Evacuation Studies (HES) that guide the decision-making process for protecting the public when a hurricane threatens an area. These studies help State and local communities establish evacuation plans by determining: (1) The probable effects of a hurricane (2) Predicting public response to the threat and advisories (3) Identifying appropriate shelters. Specifically, NHP conducts hazard and vulnerability analyses for coastal communities considering different types of storm threats. This includes: (1) Assessment of storm surge and wind impacts (2) Existing road and other transportation systems (3) Population (e.g., demographics, behavior analysis) (4) Shelters This information helps officials determine where individuals are most likely to go when evacuating from a storm. The NHP assists coastal communities by developing evacuation zones, which helps determine where and when the public should be ordered to evacuate as a storm approaches. This recommendation is negotiated among decision-makers within each community. Once the evacuation zones are established, the NHP provides each community with corresponding evacuation maps and suggested clearance times for the various types of storm categories. The communities determine how to utilize these tools and recommendations, in developing their evacuation plans. (FEMA, NHP, Dec 2007)