Chapter 24 · Vehicle evacuation
24.1 When to evacuate
Official order
In the U.S., evacuation orders are issued by local authorities (mayor, county judge or executive) by zone. You will find out through emergency alerts on your phone, your city or county alert system, radio, television, and your local emergency management office's app (chapter 1, section 1.8).
| Type of notice | What it means | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Voluntary evacuation | Recommendation: the risk is high, but not yet mandatory. | If you have older adults, someone ill, or pets, leave now: you go with less traffic. |
| Mandatory evacuation | You must leave without delay. Emergency services may not reach those who stay. | Leave immediately with whatever is ready. |
| Shelter in place | Leaving is more dangerous than staying. | Go in, stay inside, stay informed. |
Your own decision (no order)
You can, and sometimes must, leave before it is ordered (see also chapter 9):
- Your building is damaged or water is rising toward your door (on the ground floor you are the first to flood).
- You have gone days without power or water in dangerous heat or cold and there is no cooling or heating center within reach.
- Someone in the household depends on electric medical equipment or on medicines that are running out.
- A grass fire is advancing toward your area: do not wait to see the flames (chapter 10).
