Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Fires and floods cause evacuations most frequently across the U.S. In some circumstances, local officials decide that the hazards are serious and require mandatory evacuations. In others, evacuations are advised or households decide to evacuate to avoid situations they believe are potentially dangerous. When community evacuations become necessary local officials provide information to the public through the media. In some circumstances, other warning methods, such as sirens, text alerts, emails or telephone calls are used.
The amount of time you have to leave will depend on the hazard. If the event is a weather condition, such as a hurricane, 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 planning ahead is essential.
Plan how you will assemble your family and supplies and anticipate where you will go for different situations. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency and know the evacuation routes to get to those destinations.
- Evacuation Guidelines
There may be conditions under which you will decide to get away or there may be situations when you are ordered to leave. Follow these guidelines for evacuation:
- Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood. Use the Family Emergency Plan to decide these locations before a disaster.
- If you have a car, keep a full tank of gas in it if an evacuation seems likely. Keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case of an unexpected need to evacuate. 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.
- Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency.
- Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
- Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts; they may be blocked.
- Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas.
- If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. Make arrangements with family, friends or your local government.
- Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated.
- Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local evacuation instructions.
- Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.
- If Time Allows
- Call or email the out-of-state contact in your family communications plan. Tell them where you are going.
- Secure your home by closing and locking doors and windows.
- Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions, and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding. If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas, and electricity before leaving.
- Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
- Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provide some protection such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a cap.
- Check with neighbors who may need a ride.
- What is Shelter-in-Place?
Shelter-In-Place simply means staying inside your home, business, or other facility, or seeking shelter in the nearest available building. During an accidental release of toxic chemicals or emergencies involving hazardous materials where air quality may be threatened, Shelter-In-Place keeps you inside a protected area and out of danger.
- When Should I Shelter-in-Place?
Local authorities are responsible for issuing orders for Shelter-In-Place during chemical or hazardous material emergencies. You may receive notice directly from police or fire officials, siren notification, telephone notification, or through radio or television broadcasts. As soon as you are notified that an emergency situation exits in your area, tune your local Emergency Alert System (EAS) station for further information. Primary EAS stations for Grant County include:
- WMRI 860 AM
- WBAT 1400 AM
- WIWU-LP 94.3 FM
- WCJC 99.3 FM
- WXXC 106.9 FM
- If You are Asked to "Shelter-in-Place" at Home, Take The Following Actions
- If possible, bring outdoor pets inside.
- Go inside, close and lock all doors and windows.
- Extinguish fires. Shut off all ventilation systems in the home. This includes air conditioning and heating, fireplace vents and flues, all air purifying devices and ceiling fans.
- Gather everyone in a first floor room having the least number of doors and windows.
- Take your emergency supply kit (unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated) and NOAA Radio.
- Cover openings around all windows, doors and vents in the gathering room with 2-4 mil. thick plastic sheeting and duct tape. (Consider measuring and cutting the sheeting in advance to save time. Cut the plastic sheeting several inches wider than the openings and label each sheet.) If possible, use damp towels around large cracks such as the bottom of doors. Seal gaps around window-type air-conditioners, fireplace dampers, doors and windows with plastic sheeting, wax paper, aluminum wrap or any other suitable material and tape. Seal bathroom exhaust fans or fills, range vents, dryer vents, and any other openings to the best extent possible.
- Close drapes or shades over windows. Stay away from windows.
- Remain in place and listen to your radio for the “all clear signal” or for further instruction from authorities. Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.
- After the “all clear signal” remove everyone from the house to an outside location. Open all windows and doors to let the building ventilate well.
* If time does not permit you to seal the entire home, close as many internal doors as possible, move to the most central room in the home and seal that room as above.
Emergency Shelters
Emergency Shelters are used to provide a location for citizens in case of an emergency or disaster. When possible you should consider relocating to a friend or relative out of harm's way, or any safe hotels/motels as an alternative to emergency shelters.
Working in conjunction with the American Red Cross, Grant County has a vast list of shelter locations which mostly consists of churches and schools. In the event shelters are needed and activated you will be instructed to locations that will be opened for you to utilize.
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