Some don't evacuate, despite repeated hurricane warnings, because they can't (npr.org)

Two people work on boarding up a house in South Tampa Bay, Florida, on Tuesday, before Hurricane Ian hits the area. Carlos Osorio for NPR

Author: Jonathan Franklin's article, please click here.

As Hurricane Ian makes its way toward Florida's west coast, both local and state officials have activated emergency plans — urging residents to evacuate from high-impact areas.

Whether it's first responders, people working in animal shelters, those with disabilities or people with a language barrier, the reality is often far more complicated for those who can't easily get up and evacuate to safety.

"Evacuation is not as easy as it may seem if you are outside of the evacuation area," said Cara Cuite, an assistant extension specialist in the Department of Human Ecology at Rutgers University.

"It's easy to think: Of course, people should just pack up and leave," she said. But for "people with disabilities, those with pets or simply [if] you don't have a car or enough money on hand to leave, that can make it really challenging."