You and your family are enjoying a relaxing evening after a hard day’s work. Everyone’s let their guard down. The local weather forecast calls for a thunderstorm, but nothing seems out of the ordinary. Later, you look outside and notice the nearby river’s water level swiftly rising. A flash flood is coming straight to your front door. Will you panic, or will you take action?
A swift home evacuation might be necessary for several reasons — gas leaks, floods, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, landslides — the list goes on. Although these scenarios aren’t commonplace, they inevitably seem to happen when you least expect them, which means that you must have an emergency evacuation plan in place so you can act without hesitation.
Here are the steps to take to ensure a successful one-day evacuation, from gathering supplies to finding the quickest route to safety. Having a plan in place will give you the confidence you need to face any disaster head-on, but you really must begin to take action before the emergency arises.
1. Know Your Local Risks
First, you need to know your local environment’s greatest risks. Sometimes they’re obvious. Flooding is the greatest threat to coastal communities and inland towns near large bodies of water. The flat plains of the Midwest are vulnerable to tornadoes. The arid climate of northern California experiences frequent droughts and wildfires.
Other times, the dangers that nature poses aren’t so obvious. The hot and dry state of Texas saw a record-breaking winter storm in 2021 that killed hundreds of people. Dormant volcanoes can come back to life unexpectedly. Earthquakes can occur anytime, anywhere. Nature is an indifferent force that inflicts damage in many unforeseen ways, so you need to consider a lot.
Nobody can predict when disaster will strike, which is all the more reason to take precautions now. Use resources like the U.S. National Risk Index to assess the specific hazards in your county. Keep a close eye on your local weather forecast, too. It’s not always perfect, but it’s usually the most informed prediction service available to most of us.
You must also account for risks caused by people. Gas leaks and fires are often the result of human error. These disasters are even more challenging to plan for because human behavior is unpredictable. If you have neighbors who seem to be doing questionable things, talk to them about safety precautions so everyone is on the same page.
[Editor’s note: It might be best to offer help in a positive way than risk coming off as confrontational. Sometimes that means educating them (e.g., explaining why they shouldn’t burn debris during high-wind times) while other times that means getting your own hands dirty and offering to pitch in.]
2. Enable Emergency Alerts
A quick response time is the most important part of emergency preparedness. Every second can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why you must enable emergency alerts on your phone and other electronics, such as an NOAA weather radio. Check each device’s user manual and ensure it’s equipped to receive government alerts and emergency alert messages.
If a disaster strikes your community, local authorities will immediately send an alert to every registered phone in the area. You will hear a loud, unique notification to get your attention. You’ve probably gotten one of these alerts before, warning you about a missing person or potential flooding. The messages might not always seem necessary, but they could save your life.
Here are some other emergency alert resources you should take advantage of:
- National Weather Service: The NWS is responsible for sending alerts on TV and AM/FM radio. It provides the exact locations that face the greatest danger and the time frame of the potential disaster.
- Weather Enterprise Resource Program: NWS’s WER program allows civilians to sign up for custom texts, phone calls and emails related to local weather events.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: NOAA runs a nationwide radio station network that provides 24/7 weather coverage for every community.
Worldwide weather has become more volatile in recent years due to climate change, among other reasons. It’s more important than ever to monitor your local weather forecast, as an extreme event can emerge in just a few hours. Tune in to remain aware of impending storms.
3. Locate Multiple Safe Havens
You might be able to evacuate the house in record time, but where will you go? You need to locate at least a few safe havens. Military bases and sports stadiums are common refuges for people displaced by disasters, but these places are packed with strangers and only have so much food to go around. You’re far better off finding somewhere more private and away from crowds.
Always start with family members and close friends. Does anyone have an extra bedroom they can spare? What about a cabin or vacation home you can retreat to? Even hotels or motels in an unaffected city or small town is better than nothing, but you’ll want to act fact before they’re booked solid. Wherever you go, stick to people you can trust and only seek help from strangers as a last resort.
You also have to consider your evacuation route. These general rules will help you get to your destination safely:
- Make for higher ground and move away from large bodies of water.
- Avoid busy streets like interstate highways. Take the back roads as much as you can and if feasible.
- Make a pit stop at a grocery store or gas station, if possible, before heading out to stock up on food and fuel.
An evacuation alert can occur at any moment, so you need to outline and learn the route by heart, both from home and your place of employment. Keep your car’s gas tank at least half full at all times so you have enough fuel to reach your destination.
If you’ve lived in the same place for a long time, you should have intimate knowledge of the region’s main roads and landmarks. Be aware, however, that traffic and land obstructions might block off your desired routes. Chances are good there’s at least one alternative route that most other people know about.
If you can’t reach your safe haven for whatever reason, you might have to fend for yourself. Depending on the disaster’s severity, you could be isolated from emergency services for days. Read up on your region’s edible plants and wildlife in case you need to forage for food or, better yet, stockpile food at home.
[Editor’s note: If you have to bug out and you’re worried about having enough food, consider pre-stocking a small tote bin or two with canned meals, such as soups and stews, which can be easily grabbed and loaded into a vehicle. Just remember that such bins can get heavy fast, so be sure you can lift it.]
4. Stock up On Supplies
All households should have a “go bag” full of essential supplies in case of disaster. The contents might vary depending on your family’s nutritional and medical needs, but everyone’s pack should contain the following essentials:
- First-aid kit
- Bottled water
- Nonperishable food
- Warm clothes
- Prescription medicine
- Handheld multitool
- Radio
- Flashlight
- Spare batteries
- Matches or lighter
- Rope
- Local map
- Cash
- Weapons
Don’t underestimate the last item on the list. In a SHTF scenario, bad characters often try to capitalize on the chaos and steal from vulnerable people. Don’t be at a disadvantage. You must be prepared to protect yourself by any means necessary. Your community might be safe for now, but things can take a dark turn fast.
Also, remember to include extra food for your pets if you have any. Keep a carrying container on standby if the animal is small enough. Many people have to leave their pets behind during evacuations, but such sacrifices are often unnecessary in emergencies with proper planning. Ensure they have ID collars and chips in case a search and rescue is required and you’ve been forced to leave them behind.
[Editor’s note: I have my own ideas about what should be included in a bug out bag if you’d like to know what I feel is essential.]
5. Prepare Your Vehicle
Next, stock your getaway vehicle with other supplies that couldn’t fit in your go bag. Multipurpose items such as rope and duct tape are the most valuable in survival situations. These resources are also necessary in case a problem arises with your vehicle and you find yourself stranded:
- WD-40
- Tire changing kit
- Jumper cables
- Extra fuel
- Additional battery
Don’t just pile everything into the trunk. Use storage bins, bungee cords and other tools to keep things organized. Consider getting a closed trailer to maximize storage capacity if you can haul one. There are many different trailer styles to choose from, so make sure to do your research. Remember, too, that fuel containers should never be stored or transported inside the vehicle’s passenger compartment for a number of reasons, including that the fumes can make people sick.
6. Collect Personal Items
Once you cover the survival basics, you can focus on collecting personal items. Start by gathering your family’s essential documents, such as wills, trusts and bank account information. Most of these documents are digital these days, so make sure you pack your laptop or computer hard drive or maybe just keep copies in the cloud.
Other important artifacts might include family photographs, heirlooms, jewelry and children’s toys. Just be careful not to overburden yourself with too much stuff. You might have to leave some precious items behind. When disaster strikes, you may have no choice but to adjust priorities.
[Editor’s note: I once decided to try and pack our vehicle(s) with all of the stuff I wanted to take on a bug out. Turns out that I ran out of run very quickly! I suggest you try to pack whatever it is you plan on taking before expecting that it will all fit. And remember that you’ll need places for people (and possibly animals) to sit.]
7. Secure Your Home Before Leaving
Although you can’t save your entire home, you can still limit the amount of damage in many simple ways, possibly even making the jobs of emergency services easier, beginning with your home’s interior:
- Move your furniture away from doors and windows.
- Turn off your electricity and gas, but not your water.
- Seal your attic vents with plywood.
- Leave some lights on so people can see inside.
- Close all doors and windows and leave them locked.
You can also make lots of outdoor adjustments to prevent additional damage:
- Clean up your landscaping so nothing is overgrown.
- Bring all loose items inside, such as trash cans and patio furniture.
- Turn off propane tanks.
- Leave your porch lights on to improve visibility around the house.
- Put a ladder on your porch or a corner of the house.
- Park your other vehicles in the garage.
It’s OK if you don’t have time to check all these boxes. Do the best you can, and don’t stay on your property longer than necessary. You want to Get Out Of Dodge with a comfortable time cushion before it’s too late.
8. Keep the Kids Occupied
Protecting children is the top priority in any emergency. They can’t fend for themselves, so adults must protect them and keep them calm. Once a child start to panic, everything else tends to fall apart. The adults can’t focus, leading to poor decision-making, which can lead to injuries and worse.
You must keep the kids occupied to prevent hysteria from infecting the group. Give them toys, books, puzzles and other distractions to get their minds off the impending disaster. Everyone needs something to do, even if it’s simply being entertained.
But you can’t merely put on a happy face and pretend everything is fine. Kids aren’t stupid and can tell when something is wrong. Describe the situation in a way that won’t overwhelm them and is appropriate for their age. At the very least, they must understand why you’re leaving the house and what’s coming next.
9. Coordinate With Neighbors
People are your most valuable resource in any survival situation. There is strength in numbers when disaster strikes, so coordinating an evacuation plan with your most trusted neighbors is a good idea. Having everyone on the same page lets you take swift action without thinking or relaying information.
Plus, sometimes you can’t 100% rely on digital communication channels like NWS alerts and radio broadcasts. If you live in a remote area with poor cellphone service or aren’t using your phone at the moment, your nearest neighbors are your only sources of information. Don’t be a loner. Get to know your neighbors and keep each other in the loop. It might save a life one day.
10. Do a Trial Run
Every thorough evacuation procedure needs at least one trial run. Simulate your community’s most probable disaster and see how quickly and efficiently you can complete an evacuation. Review when finished. Which tasks consumed too much time? Did anyone make a mistake? There’s always room for improvement.
Trial runs are important because you need to be able to evacuate without thinking. Your emotions will be all over the place during a real crisis. Without practice, you will easily forget your entire game plan and possibly panic. Test your evacuation procedure until you know every step by heart.
11. Always Have a Plan B
Your main evacuation procedure only works if everyone is home during the disaster. If you or one of your family members is in another location, you must be able to adjust your plan accordingly. Ask questions like: What happens if nobody is home? Can your vehicle(s) hold enough supplies to sustain your bug out? What will you take if only one vehicle functions? Where will you go if you cannot evacuate in a vehicle? You must have a plan for every situation, or at least, the most obvious problems.
Preparedness Means Survival
Nobody can predict when an extreme weather event will hit their communities, but they can make plenty of preparations beforehand. When it comes to floods, fires and other emergencies, preparedness means survival. Control what you can control ahead of time. Create a thorough evacuation plan, use the resources available to you, and always stay alert.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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