Do you have an emergency evacuation plan?

JaneA

Given the wildfires in the West and hurricanes on the Southeastern coast, do you have an evacuation plan? Have you thought about packing an emergency bag with essential supplies?
Do you have an emergency cache of medical supplies? Insulin and needles, ostomy supplies, salves and lotions...

This is a good time to think about what you would do in the event of being evacuated. Have any of you ever been evacuated?

Teachertina

Yes, during Florence, went inland, 3 hour drive took 9. We always keep things ready to go since we live on the NC coast. During the season we watch weather closely for any systems forming in the Atlantic. When we left we closed up, turned off everything, boarded windows, etc. Power was out for 9 days before we could return and flooded roads made the return trip hard too. We had minimal damage but some of our neighbors lost everything. My advice, be prepared for anything, anytime, especially if you have equipment that depends on power!

legaljen1969

My previous answer was not at all on point with what Jane asked. I do have an evacuation plan. I keep an "emergency bag" in my trunk and another by my door ready to go at a moment's notice. I have been evacuated more times than I care to count- at least 5 or 6.

I have never had to evacuate with major medical concerns. I would definitely say that your supplies need to be the first thing you think about and put in your emergency bag. If you have extras of anything, put it in a travel bag, plastic bin or whatever makes it easiest for you.

Please have an emergency plan. It is crucial. Please remember that when you evacuate, you need to have a plan for your animals/pets as well. There are many "pet friendly" places. Shelters are generally NOT one of those places. There may be a few around, but be mindful of that before you head out. There have been some laws and orders put forth in the last few years that compel lodging places to accept pets.

Be sure you have the things you need that you know you couldn't get on the other end. Otherwise, pack as lightly as possible and realize you can get food and basic supplies at your destination.

GregP_WN

About all I can say about that is that I have thought about it. As a matter of fact, we have a blog post on the WhatNext site about this somewhere.

It's a great plan to have especially if you are in an area that is subject to natural disasters.

We live out in the country, 10' deep in the ground, right next to a natural creek that you can drink out of right now. We are sort of in the place where people would be trying to come to if there were serious things going on somewhere. I guess I should mark our borders better and be sure we have a few things

On a related note, my sister lives out in the far western part of Nebraska. There are missile silos all over out there. Occasionally they will decommission one and auction it off. One family bought one years ago and started remodeling it to live in. It's 12,000 sq. feet underground, enough water storage for 7 months, if I remember right. It has it's own well, solar panels, solar wind turbine, back up generator. Much more interesting stuff that I can't remember.

They give tours of the facility when someone calls and asks. I think they paid 150,000 or so for the property then I believe at the time they had put more than 200K into it when we were there.

This place was/is the perfect example of being prepared for something terrible.

andreacha

I live alone in a double wide manufactured home about an hour North of Atlanta. I carry all my PRN meds in my purse which looks more like a duffle bag with everything in it. I have a separate clasped container which has my back up meds (new refills, 2nd epi-pen, etc.) and that has room for my daily meds which I keep in a gallon Ziploc. I don't have a vehicle. My biggest concern would be my 4 cats. Only 1 is an indoor-outdoor, the others couldn't survive outdoors. I have a 10 lb. weight limit because of my back so I couldn't carry them. I have enough kennels but, again, can't carry any of them. I have a storm closet in the middle of my house which is outfitted with flashlights, extra batteries, a dozen bottles of water for me along with a gallon to put in the cat's bowl first aid supplies, cat food and treats, and some canned food for me. I have extra large and small o2 tanks there as well. It has a chair, thick waterproof jacket, pillows for the top of my head and a blanket. I have a small litter box stashed in there along with pea pads. My guess would be 5x15. I would have to wear the heavy waterproof jacket because the indoor/outdoor cat and my youngest have their nails. And I very easily get skin tears. I always keep a full large tank with regulator ready to wheel into the closet if things get dicey. I regularly charge my phone. I think that's all I can do unless any of you can think of something else. Don't hesitate to chime in with any suggestions.

KB2013

I used to live in a state with guaranteed tornadoes every year; they terrified me because there isn’t really any truly safe place to run to and hide. In the state before that one, the threat was hurricanes but, you can flee one of those days before they hit. I live in the frigid region of PA now and in winter my goal is to stock up on food, beverages and gas for the the emergency generator. It’s remote here so you need a 4-wd vehicle or else you’re trapped here for weeks. I don’t have a 4-wd so, I prep for extended isolation. I really hate the cold of winter but, I managed one year, to survive three weeks without electric by keeping a bonfire going, cooking in cast iron and consuming mre while melting snow for animals drinking water. We should all prepare for the unexpected and now more than ever.