- Learn the types of disasters that are likely in your community
and the local emergency, evacuation, and shelter plans for each
specific disaster.
- Plan how you will leave and where you will go if
you are advised to evacuate.
- Identify several places you could go in an emergency such as a
friend's home in another town or a motel. Choose destinations in
different directions so that you have options during an
emergency.
- If needed, identify a place to stay that will accept pets. Most
public shelters allow only service animals.
- Be familiar with alternate routes and other means of
transportation out of your area.
- Always follow the instructions of local officials and remember
that your evacuation route may be on foot depending on the type of
disaster.
- Develop a
family/household communication and re-unification plan so that
you can maintain contact and take the best actions for each of you
and re-unite if you are separated.
- Assemble supplies that are ready for evacuation, both a
"go-bag" you can carry when you evacuate on foot or public
transportation and supplies for traveling by longer distances if
you have a personal vehicle.
- 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.
- Make sure you have a portable emergency kit in the car.
- If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if needed.
Make arrangements with family, friends or your local
government.