Evacuations

An Evacuation alert means there is a potential or current threat. It provides critical information about the emergency and what you need to do. Alerts can quickly turn into orders, so use this time to prepare.

What to Do

• Grab your emergency kit and keep it with you.
• Follow any instructions from authorities on how to protect your home.
• Do not shut off water, electricity or gas unless directed to do so.

If Time Permits:

• Gather valuables and important personal items.
• Remove all ornaments and suspended items like wind chimes or bird feeders from trees.
• Bring outdoor furniture, bikes, trash cans, toys and other loose items indoors.
• Close and lock all windows and doors.
• Move furniture, electrical appliances and valuables to higher levels if flooding is possible.
• Wrap electronics in plastic to protect them from water.
• Remove any “emergency keys” hidden outside.
• Notify your out-of-town contact about the situation and your plans.

An evacuation order means you must leave immediately for your safety. Authorities issue an order when there is a direct threat to life.

What to do:

• Take your emergency kit with you.
• Drive carefully with headlights on and give right-of-way to emergency vehicles and pedestrians.
• If possible, leave a note in your mailbox indicating where you are going and how you can be reached.
• Leave the area as soon as instructed, do not delay.
• Avoid low-lying areas such as ravines and underpasses that may flood quickly.
• If your vehicle stalls in rising water, abandon it and move to higher ground. Follow evacuation routes provided by authorities. Do not take shortcuts.

If Time Permits:

• Take your livestock emergency kit.
• For fire evacuations, remove any halters, blankets, or other items that could catch fire or melt.
• Mark animals with a visual identifier (e.g., your phone number using a livestock marker).
• Take photos of the unmarked animals for identification later.
• Haul feed and water to the evacuation location if it isn’t already there.
• Consider the need for shelter. Extreme cold and heat can be harmful to animals.

If You Must Leave Suddenly:

• Leave handling tools accessible for first responders to use to free trapped animals.
• Mark animals with a visual identifier (e.g., your phone number using a livestock marker).
• Leave at least 72 hours of feed and water that does not need power to function (e.g., electric waterers).
• Open gates or reroute fencing to create a large, safe area for free movement.
• Keep barn doors closed to prevent animals from returning inside.
• Contact your emergency network for animal care support.

Always evacuate with pets and their pet emergency kit.

• Pets may not be allowed in reception centres.
• Identify pet-friendly hotels or boarding facilities ahead of time, both locally and out of town.
• Be ready to leave your pets with relatives or friends if necessary.
• Keep your pets’ emergency kit ready with food, medications, and comfort items.

Contac local animal rescues or shelters for help finding temporary care during an emergency.