Evacuations

Emergency managers do not take evacuations lightly. If you are asked to leave your home it is because the situation is serious enough to put your life and the lives of your family and neighbours in danger. Always do what is being asked as quickly as you are being asked to do it.

• Have an evacuation plan. Make sure family members know what to do in the event of an evacuation. Review and practice your home evacuation plan with family members.
• Listen to the radio and follow instructions from local emergency officials.
• When ordered to go, leave immediately and take an emergency supply kit and your family emergency plan with you. Take small valuables, important documents and papers, any needed medication or prescriptions, your cell phone and your pets, but travel light.
• Shut off water and electricity if officials tell you to. Leave natural gas service on, unless officials tell you to turn it off. (If you turn off the gas, the gas company has to reconnect it. In a major emergency, it could take weeks for a professional to respond. You would be without gas for heating and cooking.)
• Lock your home.
• Follow the evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts. A shortcut could lead to a restricted or dangerous area.
• Establish an out-of-area contact, such as a relative nearby, where your family can meet after evacuation.
• Leave a note at your home stating your whereabouts.
• Register at any local registration and inquiry centre so you are aware of any services available to you and officials know how you can be contacted when it is safe to return home.