Planning for Emergencies

Authorities will only ask you to leave your home if they believe you are in danger. 

If an evacuation alert is issued, there is a possibility you will be required to leave your home. In the case of an alert:

• Locate all family members and designate a place to meet outside of the evacuation area
• Gather essential items such as medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers, insurance identification, and emergency contact numbers
• Make arrangements for pets
• Move livestock to a safe area
• Charge your devices and plan for batteries and alternatives

If you are instructed to evacuate, make sure to take:

• Your emergency kit
• Your emergency plan
• Essential medications, assistive devices, and copies of prescriptions
• A cell phone and charger
• Your pets and their supplies

Protect your home

• Shut off water and electricity if advised by officials
• Leave natural gas service on unless instructed otherwise (turning it off requires a professional to reconnect, which could take weeks in a major emergency)
• Lock your home

If you have time:

• Call or e-mail your contacts to tell them where you are going and your expected arrival time. 
• Update them once you are safe.

If you are driving:

• Keep the radio on for important updates
• Follow the routes specified by officials
• Avoid shortcuts, as they may lead to blocked or dangerous areas
• Watch for fallen power lines, debris, damaged bridges or roads, and dangling wires

Sheltering is necessary when seeking protection in your home, workplace, or another location due to a threat to personal safety. Always listen for updates and follow instructions from officials.

Situations that may require sheltering in place include:

• Chemical spills
• Tornadoes
• Severe winter storms
• Events that could harm the public

If the emergency involves an environmental hazard:

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors
• Turn off fans, heating, and air-conditioning systems to prevent outside air from entering
• Close the fireplace damper
• Gather your emergency kit and ensure your radio is working
• Go to an interior room above ground level, preferably one without windows. For chemical threats, an above-ground location is better as some chemicals are heavier than air and can seep into basements even with windows closed
• Use duct tape or other wide tape to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room
• Continue monitoring your radio or television until you are informed that it is safe or advised to evacuate