How to be ready if you need to evacuate your home

With flooding once again in the news, many Canadians are thinking about what to do if there is an evacuation order in their community.

First of all, an evacuation order is different from an evacuation alert. When an evacuation alert is issued, it means that officials want you to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice – an evacuation order means it’s time to go!

What to do if there is an evacuation alert:

• Pack your bags and have them ready by the door
• Make sure your emergency kit is stocked and ready to go
• Make sure you have proof of residency (like a lease, mortgage info, utility bills, etc.) and be sure to bring this with you if you need to evacuate
• If you have pets, make sure they are prepared to evacuate as well
• Prepare your home for while you are away:
  • Protect your valuables in waterproof containers. Place them above water levels.
  • Put sealant around basement windows and the base of ground-level doors.
  • Raise large appliances in the basement above the potential water level from a flood.
  • Find your floor drain and make sure nothing is covering it like boxes, furniture or carpet
• This can be an extremely stressful time, especially if it is bringing up memories of past evacuations, it is normal to feel this way. Here are some ways to take care of yourself and those around you during this time

What to do if there is an evacuation order:

•  When the order comes to go, go
• Once you are out of the evacuated area, register with Emergency Social Services, even if you don’t need assistance. Registering means that you are accounted for - and if you choose to – your friends and family will be able to locate you if you are separated. During an evacuation or after an evacuation, circumstances may change and you may need some assistance
• As we mentioned above, this is an extremely stressful time and it is normal to not feel normal – there is help available for you and those around you

Being ready and having a plan can help you and your family prepare for an evacuation and have an easier time if you need to be away from home.