Evacuation Plan

First step in developing your evacuation plan is to discuss with your family what to do if authorities advise you to evacuate.

Man-made and natural disasters cause evacuations every year - will you know where to go and what to take with you?

Transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Fires and floods cause evacuations even more frequently. Almost every year, people along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts evacuate in the face of approaching hurricanes.

When emergency evacuations become necessary, local officials provide information to the public through the media. In some circumstances, other warning methods, such as sirens or telephone calls, also are used.

Additionally, there may be circumstances under which you and your family feel threatened or endangered and you need to leave your home, school, or workplace to avoid these situations.

Learn about public shelter locations in your community.

Make “in-case-of-evacuation” arrangements for a place to stay with a friend or relative who lives out of town or with a hotel, motel, or campground you are familiar with that can be reached by an evacuation route you would expect to take.

The amount of time you have to leave will depend on the hazard. If the event is a weather condition, such as a hurricane that can be monitored, you might have a day or two to get ready.

However, many disasters allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities, which is why having an evacuation plan in place is essential.

How to Prepare Ahead of Time

• Keep a full tank of gas in your car if an evacuation seems likely. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay.


• Purchase a Evacuation Map for your state and become familiar with evacuation routes.


• Plan several evacuation routes in case certain roads become blocked or closed.


• Follow the advice of local officials during evacuation situations. They will direct you to the safest route.


• Be alert for washed-out roads and bridges. Do not drive into flooded areas.

If you have pets, follow the steps in your Pet Plan.

Evacuation Tips

Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection, such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a cap.

Place the supplies you'd most likely need for an evacuation in an easy- to-carry container, i.e. trash container, backpack, duffle bag.

If you only have a short time before leaving your home, and you don’t already have a bug-out bag ready to go, pack these items:

• Extra cash, if the power is out ATM’s won’t work
• Prescription medications, vitamins and dentures
• Personal hygiene items
• Flashlight, batteries, radio, first-aid kit, bottled water
• A change of clothes and a sleeping bag or bedroll and pillow for each household member
• Important personal documents - birth, death, and marriage certificates, insurance policies, and bank account records should be copied and stored in waterproof, fireproof, portable containers

Before Leaving Secure your home

Close and lock doors and windows.

Unplug electrical equipment, such as radios and televisions, and small appliances, such as toasters and microwaves. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding.

Leave natural gas on. Unless local officials advise otherwise, leave natural gas on because you will need it for heating and cooking when you return home.

Turn off propane gas service. Propane tanks often become dislodged in disasters.

In home evacuation

Emergency escape routes aid family members in exiting your home more quickly and safely.

It’s best to plan a second way out of each room, in case a door or hallway is blocked.

Store Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved collapsible ladders for escape from upper story windows.

Once out of the building, whether together or individually, teach family members to follow the family disaster plan and go to your emergency meeting place.

 

 

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