Shelter in Place or Evacuate? How to Decide

Shelter in Place or Evacuate

Almost every emergency comes down to one decision: stay or go. Staying when you should leave, and leaving when you should stay, are both dangerous. The rule is to follow official instructions when there are any, and to know in advance how to do both well when there are none.

1. How to decide

If authorities tell you to evacuate, go. Do not wait to see how it develops.
If authorities tell you to stay indoors, stay. Do not go to collect children from school unless told to. Schools have their own plans.

With no instructions yet

Stay when the danger is outside and in the air: a chemical release, smoke, radiation, a violent situation in the street, a storm in progress.
Go when the danger is coming to where you are: fire, rising water, a landslide risk, a gas leak, a damaged building, a tsunami warning.
If in doubt and the way out is clearly safe, leaving early is usually the better choice than leaving late.

2. Shelter in place

Get everyone inside, including pets. Lock the doors.
Close windows, doors and vents.
For airborne hazards, turn off ventilation, air conditioning and fans that bring in outside air. Close the fireplace damper.
Go to an inner room with few windows. For a chemical release, follow official advice on which floor to use. For radiation, a basement or the centre of the building is best. See Nuclear and chemical incidents.
If advised, seal gaps around doors, windows and vents with tape, plastic sheeting or wet towels.
Listen to public radio. Stay until the all-clear.
Use the phone only for emergencies.
Your home kit lets you stay for days without going out.

3. Evacuate

Take your go-bag, medicines, documents, phone, charger, keys and cash. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
If there is time: close windows, turn off gas and water if advised, unplug appliances and lock the door.
Take pets with you. See Pets and animals.
Follow the official route, even if another looks shorter. Do not drive through floodwater or smoke.
Check on neighbours who may need help on your way out.
Go to your agreed meeting point or shelter, and text your out-of-town contact where you are. See Make a Plan.
Do not return until authorities say it is safe.

For evacuating a city on foot or by car, see Urban Evacuation.