Evacuation and Sheltering-In-Place

During an emergency, our emergency officials may ask you to shelter-in-place or evacuate your location.

Sheltering-in-place

If you are told to shelter-in-place, you must stay inside your home or business for your protection. Please follow these steps to complete the process:

Close and lock all windows and doors.
Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
Close the fireplace damper.
Prepare your emergency supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.
Move to a room that's above ground level and with no windows, if possible. Chemical threats can seep into basements easily.
Seal all cracks around the door and any vents in the room with duct tape or other wide tape.
Monitor your radio until you are told by authorities that it is safe to evacuate your location.

Evacuation

If you are told to leave your home by Town officials, it is important to take their instructions very seriously. Do not assume you might know better or that the situation may not be as serious as it sounds. Take action immediately.

Always listen to your radio, follow officials' instructions and follow these steps:

Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes to stay protected
Take your emergency supplies kit.
Lock your home.
Take a cellular phone if you have one.
Ensure you have all your family members with you and meet at your family's designated meeting place.
Stay away from downed power lines.
If you go to an evacuation centre, sign up at the registration desk so you can be contacted or reunited with your loved ones.
Contact your out-of-area emergency contact (identified in your personal emergency plan) to let them know what has happened, that you are OK and how they can contact you.
Alert your contact about separated family members.

If you have time:

Contact a family contact to let them know where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
Take your pets with you and any necessary food or medication. Pets may not be allowed in public shelters, so follow your plan to take them to a relative or friend's home, or pet-friendly hotel.
If instructed, shut off your water and electricity before leaving.
Leave your natural gas service on, unless instructed otherwise by officials. You may need gas for heating and cooking and it may take weeks for a professional to restore service after a disaster.