Evacuation preparedness tips

It’s important to plan ahead for disasters. Give your household the best chance of surviving a disaster by being ready to go and evacuating early. This includes going through pre-evacuation preparation steps to increase your home’s defenses, as well as creating evacuation and emergency plans for your family. Also, COVID-19 now means you may need to prepare for an emergency differently. Check out the latest COVID-19 tips with an asterisk(*).

Take steps now to better prepare your household for an evacuation

Take these steps to be ready in advance:

• Create a family disaster plan that includes meeting locations and communications plans and rehearse it regularly. Include the evacuation of pets in your plan. In lieu of a public shelter, consider prearranging a safe place to go out of the local area, such as with friends or family in a safe location.
• Have a portable radio or scanner so you can stay updated on the fire and weather emergency announcements as well as the locations of temporary evacuation points.
• Sign up for SMC Alert. Sign up to receive local emergency alerts so you are ready when you need them. 
• Be prepared for power outages. Visit the power outages page, including Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) page, for more information.
• Ensure that your family knows where your gas, electric and water main shutoff controls are and how to use them.
• Know Your Zone - Know which designated evacuation zone your household resides in.
• Plan and practice all of your different evacuation routes out of your home and neighborhood.
• Know how to open your garage door manually.
• Designate an emergency meeting location outside the hazard area.
• Have fire extinguishers on hand and teach your family how to use them. 
• Pack an emergency go bag/emergency supply kit for each member of your family. For guidance on what to pack, refer to the list below or visit the Red Cross How to Prepare for Emergencies website.
• Maintain a list of emergency contact numbers in go bag/emergency supply kit.
• Appoint an out-of-area friend or relative as a point of contact so you can communicate with family members.
• Prearrange a safe place to go, out of the local area, in lieu of a public shelter. If possible, go to stay with friends or family in a safe location.

What to pack in your go bag/emergency supply kit

The American Red Cross recommends every family have an emergency supply kit assembled long before an emergency occurs.

Use the list below to help assemble yours. For more information on emergency supplies, visit the Red Cross How to Prepare for Emergencies website. 

• Three-day supply of water (1 gallon per person, per day) and non-perishable food for family (3 day supply).
• Non perishable food for all family members and pets (3 day supply).
• First aid kit and sanitation supplies.
• Flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries.
• An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash, or traveler’s checks.
• Extra eyeglasses, contact lenses, prescriptions, and medications.
• Important family documents and contact numbers, including insurance documents.
• Map marked with evacuation routes.
• Easily carried valuables and irreplaceable items.
• Personal electronic devices and chargers.
• Keep a pair of old shoes and a flashlight handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.
• Face coverings (at least 2 per person).*
• Sanitization supplies (hand sanitizer, sanitization wipes, and soap).*

* Items that will also help prevent the spread of COVID-19