EVACUATION

People are forced to evacuate more often than you may realize. Hundreds of times each year, transportation or industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes and go to a safer area. Fires and floods cause evacuation even more frequently. The largest peacetime evacuation occurred during Hurricane Floyd in 1999 when over 2 million people evacuated coastline areas in the Gulf states.

As a result, local evacuation planning has been in progress for several years in many parts of the country. Specific evacuation plans vary by area and by disaster.

If you are advised to evacuate your home and move to another location temporarily, there are certain things to remember and do:

Follow the instructions and advice of local authorities. If you are advised to evacuate, do so promptly. If you are instructed to move to a certain location, go there -- don't go anywhere else. If certain travel routes are specified or recommended, use those routes rather than trying to find short cuts of your own. If you are told to shut off your water, gas, or electric service before leaving home, do so. Also find out on the radio where emergency housing and mass feeding stations are located, in case you need to use them.

If you have pets, take them with you. The American Red Cross will help arrange for their shelter.

Evacuation periods can last for hours or several days. For part, or all, of this time, you may be responsible for your own food, clothing, and other supplies until help arrives or utilities are repaired. In some cases, you may need to take care of yourself without outside help for an average time of three days.

Collect crucial materials like food and water well in advance of a disaster. Once you are told to evacuate, you may have only minutes to leave.

Review possible evacuation procedures with your family so that everyone understands what to do and where to meet if you are separated.

Ask a friend or relative outside your area to be the "checkpoint" so that everyone in the family can call that person to say they are safe.

Find out where your children will be sent if they are in school when an evacuation is announced. School officials will advise you on how your children will be returned to you. Avoid the temptation to get them on your own: You'll usually just make a bad situation worse.

Plan now where you would go if you had to evacuate. Consider the homes of relatives or friends who live nearby but outside the potential disaster area.

Keep fuel in your car at all times. During emergencies, filling stations may be closed. Never store extra fuel in the garage.

If you do not have a car or other vehicle, make transportation arrangements with friends, neighbors, or your local emergency management office.

Know where and how to shut off electricity, gas, and water at main switches and valves. Make sure you have the tools you would need to do this (usually pipe and crescent or adjustable wrenches).

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE TOLD TO EVACUATE

1. If there is time, secure your house:

-Unplug appliances.
-Turn off natural gas, propane, or other fuel valves where they enter the house.
-In a flood hazard area, store propane tanks or secure them safely to the structure.
-Turn off the main water valve.
-Take any actions needed to prevent damage to water pipes by freezing weather, if this is a threat.
-Securely close and lock all doors, windows, and garage.
-Place a sign on the front door or window to notify authorities that your house or apartment has been evacuated and no one remains inside. If possible, leave a number where you can be reached.

2. Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts! They may be blocked.

3. Listen to the radio for emergency shelter information.

4. Carry a family safety kit.

Returning Home

1. Do not return to the emergency site until local authorities say it is safe.

2. Continue listening to the radio for information and instructions.

3. Use extreme caution when entering or working in buildings -- structures may have been damaged or weakened. Beware of poisonous snakes in flooded structures and debris.

4. Do not take lanterns, torches, or any kind of flame into a damaged building. There may be leaking gas or other flammable materials present. Use a battery-operated flashlight for light. But if you suspect a gas leak, do not use any kind of light! The
light itself could cause an explosion.

5. If you smell leaking gas, turn off the main gas valve at the meter.

6. Do not turn on lights -- they can produce sparks that will ignite the gas.

7. Leave the house immediately and notify the gas company or the police.

8. Do not reenter the house until an authorized person tells you it is safe to do so.

9. Notify the power company or fire department if you see fallen or damaged electrical wires.

10. If any of your appliances are wet, turn off the main electrical power switch in your home before you unplug them. Dry out appliances, wall switches and sockets before you plug them in again -- call utility companies for guidance.

11. Check food and water supplies for contamination and spoilage before using them. Follow specific instructions from your local health department or agriculture extension agency.

12. Wear sturdy shoes when walking through debris or broken glass and use heavy gloves when removing debris.

13. Do not go sightseeing. Only visit the disaster area if authorities have given you permission to do so.

14. After the emergency has passed, contact your family and friends to tell them you are safe.

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