Evacuation Preparedness Tips

Web Photo Header_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 means you 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 large animals such as horses in your plan. In lieu of a shelter, prearrange a safe place to go out of the local area, such as to friends or family in a location where COVID-19 infection rates are low.
  • 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 (TEPs).
  • Sign up to receive local alerts for when you need them. Sign up at socoalert.com. 
  • Be prepared for power outages. Visit the Power Outages including Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) page for more information.
  • Ensure that your family knows where your gas, electric, and water main shut- off controls are and how to use them.
  • Know which Designated Evacuation Zone your household resides in -- look it up: srcity.org/EvacZones 
  • 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 Emergency Preparedness Page.
  • 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 shelter. If possible, go to friends or family in a location where COVID-19 infection rates are low. 

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 a wildland fire or other emergency occurs. Use the list below to help assemble yours. For more information on emergency supplies, visit the Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Page. 

  • Three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and non-perishable food for family (3 day supply).
  • Non perishable food for all family members and pets (three-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 two per person).*
  • Sanitization supplies (hand sanitizer, sanitization wipes, and soap).*
* Items that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19