Evacuation preparedness tips

When disaster threatens, early action saves lives. Preparing ahead of time gives your household the best chance to evacuate safely and protect your home.

Prepare early. Evacuate early.

• Create a family disaster plan with meeting locations and communication steps.
• Include pets in your evacuation plan.
• Choose a safe meeting place outside the hazard area.
• Practice multiple evacuation routes from your home and neighborhood.
• Pre-arrange a safe place to stay outside the local area (friends or family when possible).

• SMC Alert: Sign up to receive emergency notifications
• Keep a portable radio or scanner to monitor fire, weather, and evacuation updates.
• Power Outages & Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS): Learn about outages and PSPS preparedness

• Know Your Zone: Find your designated evacuation zone
• Plan at least two evacuation routes out of your neighborhood.
• Learn how to manually open your garage door.
• Ensure household members know how to safely shut off gas, electricity, and water.

• Pack a go bag/emergency supply kit for each household member.
• Include medications, important documents, chargers, and essentials.
• Keep a written list of emergency contact numbers in each kit.
• Store fire extinguishers in accessible locations and teach your family how to use them.

Taking these steps now reduces stress, protects property, and helps your household leave quickly and safely when it matters most.

Explore more local preparedness resources: Emergency & Disaster Preparedness and #MenloPrepared.

Together we are #MenloPrepared.