Preparing To Evacuate
Plan Can Be Difference Between Life, Death, Major and Minor Damage
Practically every American is subject to evacuation at some time, so it is best to have some plans for it. Besides hurricanes, it may be necessary to evacuate for such threats as spreading forest fires, river flooding, terrorist threats, mud slides, threatened explosions, the escape of hazardous materials and in the aftermath of a damaging tornado or earthquake.
FEMA and the Red Cross publish preparation plans before each hurricane, possibly because hurricanes provide the most preparation time. Most coastal residents between Texas and the Carolinas already know the drill very well.
Evacuation Choices
Unless the family has a second home outside the threatened area, the evacuation choices usually include:
- A public shelter either within or outside the risk area;
- A friend or relative’s home outside the threatened area;
- A hotel room outside the risk area.
Pets may not be accepted in some of these destinations.
Public Shelters
Pubic shelters are usually the least desirable evacuation venue. They may be extremely crowded, lack privacy, probably don’t accept pets, require rigid behavior and probably lack bath facilites and other home/hotel conveniences.
Disaster officials now discourage staying in hotels within a storm area. Winds may damage the facility and residents may be stranded in a flooded area after the storm.
It might be necessary to drive hundreds of miles to find a hotel room outside the risk area unless reservations were made days in advance. FEMA pays for hotel rooms in some cases.
Visit Friends or Relatives
The best evacuation destination, other than a distant second home, is often the home of a friend or relative outside the risk area. Conditions may be crowded and sometimes tense relationships develop after a few days of such togetherness. However, the hosts are likely to make it a pleasant stay.
Evacuate early rather than late to beat the highway crowds. This can lessen the stress of the drive and the probability of an accident. Some states now use a contraflow system, converting all highway traffic away from risk areas. But highways may remain crowded as thousands try to escape.
Secure Home Before Leaving
Residents should protect their property whether they decide to stay or to evacuate. This includes:
- Securing all loose yard items so that they won’t become wind-driven missiles or float away;
- Protecting windows from powerful winds and flying objects;
- Securing vehicles;
- Getting valuables off the floor;
- Cleaning drains to allow water to flow away;
- Securing the home against looters.
- Discontinuing mail and newspapers.
The Red Cross recommends turning off electricity, water and propane gas, but leaving natural gas on.
Risk area motorists are encouraged to keep gas tanks full in the week before an evacuation. Many stations run out of gas and fuel efficiency plummets in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Evacuation Kits
Maintain a year-round escape file that can be loaded quickly. Include important documents like licenses, certificates, priceless pictures, expensive jewelry, software backup disks and lists of important phone numbers, email and postal addresses. Take a phone directory.
Bring cash, blank checks and credit cards.
Develop methods of contacting relatives, neighbors and friends, especially by cell phone or email. Tell them where you’re headed.
Put together a care package that includes prescription medicines, names and numbers, dentures, flashlight, portable radio and batteries, appropriate keys, first aid kit, emergency and snack foods, bottled water, small toys for kids, maps and directions to the evacuation point, coins for toll roads and pay phones, toilet articles, reading material, laptops and underclothes.
Extra clothing, sleeping bags and pillows can be helpful, but some items can be purchased in the evacuation destination.
References:
- American Red Cross
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
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