How to Put an Evacuation Plan Together
Today, let’s talk about an evacuation plan to have in place if you are asked to leave your home, neighborhood or community. We’ve seen the news years ago on Hurricane Harvey, the worst storm and devastation in American history, according to the news reporters. I heard it’s been called a 500-year storm. Do you have an evacuation plan?
Here in Southern Utah, we had what they called a 100-year storm a few years ago. We thought at the time it was devastating, and it really was for so many families.
I don’t want to compare storms, we have had so many that it seems they are getting stronger and stronger. Of course, we now have more television stations to report and social media brings pictures of chaos into our lives through our computers, laptops, and iPhones.
How to Establish an Evacuation Plan
When it comes to having an evacuation plan, they don’t put together themselves. There are resources out there that can help you establish and put together an evacuation plan, you just need to know what you are doing.
Read the Book: “Five Days At Memorial”
Here’s the deal, I read the book “Five Days at Memorial”, it’s a book written about the Memorial hospital in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. I have read the book three times, you may want to as well. A reader recommended the book to me, and I will forever be grateful for the suggestion.
Knowing about situations after a natural disaster or when SHTF will help you prepare even more. We live in a world where we don’t think things will really happy, but they will. When it comes time to evacuate, you’ll be glad you have an evacuation plan in place.
Read the Book:”One Second After”
I have read the book “One Second After,” it was an okay read. But the book dragged out and the only thing that came out of that read was that cars older than a certain year would be the only ones that would work since they don’t have computers/electronics to get damaged. You would still need to have gas in them to run, and many don’t always keep our gas tanks full.
The other problem is those who depend on medication that is life-saving like Diabetes and many more illnesses. I’m also aware that pharmacies, grocery stores, and other retail outlets will empty quickly.
Read the Book:”Lights Out”
Then, I was interviewed for the Ted Koppel book “Lights Out”. Now that is a book everyone in America should read. Our country is so unprepared to replace the infrastructure of our power grids, it’s appalling to me. He interviewed people working for the government and retired people who had worked with all aspects of our falling apart infrastructure.
His team interviewed more people that are in the know than any book I am aware of that has been printed on the subject. And of course, Ted Koppel is a very respected reporter and speaker.
Put Together an Evacuation Plan
First of all, you may or may not have a choice to evacuate. You may be required to leave by the local government entities, so we must have an evacuation plan if our home and surrounding areas are deemed a dangerous situation.
Now, certain situations will make the decision for you, like severe flooding, a nearby hurricane, tornado or an earthquake. Here are my suggestions.
Register Your Phone(s) with Reverse 911
I live in Washington County (Utah) so I would Google: Washington County, Utah Reverse 911 and click on the first link that comes up on the computer. This will let you know if there is imminent danger coming to your neighborhood via an emergency notification system.
Make an Emergency Contact Card
Everyone in your family should have a contact card to carry on their person or in their backpack. This contact card will have all names, phone numbers, and addresses to get in touch with family members or friends in case of emergencies. Please laminate, if possible.
Emergency ICE in Phones
Make sure all family members have an emergency contact person under the initials ICE, this gives emergency responders, etc. to know who to contact if you are unable to communicate. ICE stands for “In Case of Emergency.”
Have City Maps On Hand
Purchase some maps of your city and surrounding areas. This map can be used to show family members where to meet if a disaster happens without notice. Remember, we may not all be home together when an unforeseen emergency strikes. One family member may be driving a carpool, another at work or another at the grocery store.
Talk openly with each family member where to meet. Talk about Plan A, Plan B, and make a Plan C. Hopefully, all family members will be united quickly. It’s critical you discuss and plan your own evacuation plan.
You truly never know when a map will come in handy. However, relying on your GPS won’t work in an emergency.
Put Together EDC Bags
Put together an EDC, an Everyday Carry Bag. This bag is different than a 72-hour kit. Here is a link to my post on my EDC bag. EDC Bag by Linda
Knowing the different kits and bags to put together is essential. The more you know about an EDC bag, the more likely you are to put one together.
Don’t Forget the Gas Tanks
Please keep your cars at least 3/4 full. I used to suggest 1/2 full, but I’m seeing more and more evacuations in the country so we need to be ready all the time. Mark and I will not be in line to purchase gas, I can guarantee you that for sure. I only have one car so that should be feasible. Just don’t forget the gas tanks!
Emergency Binder
Be prepared to grab and go with your emergency binder at a moments notice. You can relax, knowing you have all the critical documents you need with you when you must evacuate.
Please have small bills in your possession. If we lose power the ATM’s may not work. The banks will be closed if they lose power. This binder content will load and show up on the bottom left side of your computer:
Food Storage Moms FREE Printable Emergency Binder Download
Post A Document
Please post a document on the back door, the front door or whatever to remind you to grab the items you do not want to leave behind. Keep in mind your house may not withstand a disaster, so just write down items on a piece of paper that are extremely special to you.
You may or may not have time to grab them. Have a family meeting and talk about and practice an evacuation plan with items needed to grab and go. These items could be water, food, 72-hour kits, emergency binder, prescriptions, dog food, extra clothing, shoes, etc.
What About School Evacuations?
Please check to see what your local schools do in case of an unforeseen emergency or disaster. Ask the school who your children can be released to in case of emergency.
You may need to add additional names to the cards on file at the schools your children attend. You can even put together these school emergency kits.
Know Where Your Evacuation Centers Are
Please check with your local city and or county emergency centers to see what plans they have for people who may have to be evacuated. Do they have different locations, supplies, etc?
Keep in mind the government cannot take care of everyone. We need to have at least 3-7 days worth of food and water at the very least for our families.
Get To Know Your Neighborhood
I know I have talked a few times about meeting your neighbors. Please introduce yourselves if you go for walks.
If you feel so inclined, I would have a meeting (barbecue, maybe) with those neighbors you feel comfortable talking about disasters before they hit and how you can help one another.
Please remember those elderly neighbors and disabled people on your street in your evacuation plan.
What About Pets During an Emergency Evacuation?
Don’t forget our pet needs, we need water and food for them as well. Put together a bag if possible with food and water dishes, extra collars, leashes, harnesses, etc.
If you think a crate is right for your pet, take one with you. Make sure you have a litter box with strong bags with kitty litter and baggies to use to pick up after all our pets.
I’m sure those with larger animals have a harder time to protect their animals that can’t be taken to shelters. Please have medical records for your pet (s) because they may be required to enter some emergency locations. Here is my 72-hour kit pet list that may help you as well.
Final Word
I hope after today you put together an evacuation plan for you and your family. It’s critical we talk about several options. If you have purchased my book, you have seen my suggestions. May God bless this world, Linda
Other Tips for Evacuation Plans
How Much Water Should You Store by Linda
Hi Linda,
I taught this class to my Relief Society just last night! Nevada just became the fourth state to recommend people prepare to evacuate for 96 hours, instead of the usual 72. (The other states are Utah, Colorado, and Washington.)
As far as One Second After and all the diabetics dying (per the book’s author, not you), that doesn’t have to be the case. Diabetics have to prepare, just like everyone else. Insulin was a DIY thing in WWII when the commercially-produced insulin couldn’t be obtained. It won’t be easy, but apparently it’s about as difficult as making meth.
My husband is a type-1 diabetic, so it’s a topic we’ve been on top of our whole lives. I’ve written a lot more about it on my blog, PrepSchoolDaily dot blogspot dot com. Type “Diabetes–Type 1” in the search bar on the right, or go to the post for 2 April 2019.
Have a great day!
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer, I agree with the 96 hours, I wrote a post about 72-hour kits not being enough. I love hearing someone like you is teaching a preparedness class. We need to get people prepared, good job. Linda
The listed items are overwhelming. Could you please tell me how you are suppose to fit all this in a back pack? May I also suggestion using empty prescription bottles for matches, coins, etc.. Plus use a large bottle for some lint from your dryer to use for a fire starter. Also i do not see toilet paper. Maybe i missed it. Plus a fold up shovel to dig a spot to take care of business and then cover it up.
Hi Donna, today the post was about making an evacuation plan. I have discussed 72-96 hour kits many times. I like your idea about using prescription bottles for matches and coins. When I write it’s mainly to help others be prepared one step at a time. You pick and choose what you can use or afford to stock in your home or vehicle. I hope this helps, Linda
Hello Linda, I am the Emergency Preparedness Specialist in my area. I have been teaching preppers for twenty years that you will never know when you will need the knowledge and equipment i’ve taught people to have on hand. Well, it came home to roost. My sisters house burnt down, nothing left. While that in and of itself is terrible, worse is that they themselves were not prepared. After both ran out of the house in the clothes they were wearing, my brother in law ran back inside to get clothes, wallet, keys, etc., and in the process was severely burned on his feet. If they had the “night bag”, EDC and the 72 hour kit the situation would have been different. Lesson: the “night bag” is nothing more than a bag with every day clothes and copies of important documents kept near the bed or under the bed. I sincerely hope that others who have read my comments will learn from this terrible incident.
Hi LMB, whoa!! I’m so sorry about your sister’s home, that is terrible. You BIL’s feet, yikes. I love the term “Night Bag”, I LOVE it in fact. You know when my husband and I lived in Farmington, Utah, back in 1983 the entire town was evacuated due to flooding. Not ONE person brought their 72-hour kits to the churches or schools where they were instructed to go. We had just moved into our house in Farmington but we were up on a hill pretty far from flooding. We had helicopters flying overhead instructing everyone to evacuate. We left to go help the families below us sandbag their homes. We literally had minutes to help those in the way of the floods coming down. A “Night bag” would have been great for those who could not go home. Of course, they forgot their 72-hour kits, but I like your idea. Linda