Plan on evacuating this year when the Hurricanes come? New concept: Why not visit a Hurricane Friend?

Hurricane Friends has a novel concept that might just fit into your evacuation plan this year. For $9.95, the Lakeland, Florida firm’s Web site promises to pair you or your family with prescreened volunteers willing to open their homes to evacuees before a big storm. After a nasty bout with Hurricane Charley last year Joe Shaffer made up his mind to never ride out a storm again. Now he’s signed up on Hurricane Friends as both a host house and as a potential evacuee.

The Sun-Sentinel wrote, “The idea appealed to him. With three kids, a cat and a dog, the Bartow resident said heading to a government shelter isn’t realistic and his family can’t afford a long hotel stay. And, unlike nonprofit sites that simply list contact information, Shaffer liked the mandatory criminal background check.”

“I would rather go to my family, but they are all either out in Nevada or up in Ohio and that’s a long way to go,'’ Shaffer said. “It seems like a good idea. I’m kind of a quiet person, but I have a personal interest here. We hope it catches on.'’