During an emergency, local elected officials or representatives of emergency management or law enforcement agencies may advise you and your family to take shelter (shelter in place), evacuate, or take other protective actions.
If you are advised to evacuate during an emergency:
- Evacuation will be by response zones. Do not evacuate until/unless local officials advise that people in your response zone should do so.
- Tune in to local news outlets to make sure you understand when you are advised to evacuate and where you are asked to go.
- You may have to be away from home for a few days. If possible, take with you (for each person) extra clothing and shoes, spare eyeglasses and medicines, sleeping bag or blankets, pillow, proper identification, multiple forms of currency (checkbook, credit cards, and cash), portable radio and flashlight (with extra batteries), special supplies for infants and elderly evacuees, and a list of important phone numbers including family physicians.
- Before you leave, turn off your lights, and leave your refrigerator and freezer on.
- If you plan to take your pets, bring a leash or carrier for them. Otherwise, leave animals at home with access to ample food and water.
- Lock windows and doors, and leave other systems as if you are going on a brief vacation.
If you have children at school:
- Law enforcement and emergency management officials will work closely with schools that are in a shelter-in-place or evacuation zones.
- School children and personnel who are told to evacuate should follow instructions from local law enforcement and emergency management officials. Parents should stay tuned to local news reports for information on whether they should stay away from the school or can pick up their child from the school.