What To Do
In Case of an
EVACUATION

What is an evacuation?

Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Hundreds of times each year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Fires and floods cause evacuations even more frequently. And almost every year, people along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts evacuate in the face of approaching hurricanes.

When community evacuations become necessary, local officials provide information to the public through the media. Various organizations will work to provide emergency shelters and supplies. But just in case, you should have enough water, food, clothing and emergency supplies to last at least three days. In a catastrophic emergency, you might need to be self-sufficient for even longer.

The amount of time you have to evacuate will depend on the disaster. If the event can be monitored, like a hurricane, you could have a day or two to get ready. But, many disasters offer no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities. This is why you should prepare now.


How to plan for an evacuation?

Follow these steps to plan for an evacuation.


What to do if you are told to evacuate?

Listen to the radio (do you have a battery powered radio?) and follow local instructions. If the danger is a chemical release and you are instructed to evacuate immediately, gather your family and go. In other cases you may have sufficient time to follow these steps:
Presented by:

City-Parish of Lafayette, Office of Emergency Preparedness,
Lafayette, Louisiana