Advance notice is not always given when it comes to evacuations. In certain circumstances, you could be given as little as a few minutes to leave. Would you be ready? Plus, here’s a free handout that prints out easily and can be stored in your preparedness binders and/or bug out bag. Take the time and get prepped!
Hundreds of times each year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes on a moment’s notice.
Natural disasters such as fires, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes also cause evacuations. Almost once a year, people along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts evacuate in the face of approaching hurricanes.
Advance notice is not always given when it comes to evacuations. In certain circumstances, you could be given as little as a few minutes to leave. Would you be ready?
If you live in a big city and you’ve been reading about survival, you know by now that it will be harder to get out of the city center in an emergency than it would be if you lived in the suburbs or a small town. All you have to do is look at recent events in Europe to see this is true and that you need an evacuation plan.
The capital city of Belgium, Brussels, was under lockdown for days in 2015, with tanks patrolling the streets and people being forced to stay inside. All of this because of a single terrorist who was on the loose after the Paris attacks of November 2015.
The city of Koln, Germany, was the scene of a mass-sexual assault by people who have now been confirmed to be migrants. But the incident caused over 100 women to file complaints. All of this happened on New Year’s Eve.
Now, terrorist attacks and riots aren’t the only things that might get you to bug out. Whatever shape the next disaster takes, riots, traffic jams, and checkpoints will make it difficult for you to escape. While preppers living in small towns or on ranches prefer to bug in if something happens, city dwellers may not have that luxury.
But you can make an evacuation plan that will give you and your family the best possible chance to get out of the city safely.
You need to assess your current situation and know what you have to work with. Proper planning will save you a lot of headaches later on and prevent faulty evacuation plans. Some of the questions to ask yourself are:
- How many people are there in your household?
- Do you have small children, elders, or people with handicaps?
- Are you responsible for pets?
- Is your home downtown or in a somewhat remote neighborhood?
- Have you prepared a place to go?
- Do you have a way to get there?
- Do you know when to leave?
Many preppers suggest having a bug out bag on standby when there is a threat of an evacuation. Moreover, for disasters such as earthquakes, you can prepare a bug out bag and store it outside of the home in case an earthquake causes structural damage.
Preparing a bag for evacuations takes more time than one would think. Taking survival needs into account is one thing, but trying to collect prescriptions, children’s special items, and personal documents can be frustrating if you were under time constraints. Preparing ahead of time for evacuations will cut down on the headaches, and keep you one step ahead. Likewise, keeping a vehicle evacuation-ready will minimize headaches when you are scrambling to necessary items together.
Some suggested preparedness items are:
- Backpacks for each member of the family (make sure the backpack has multiple compartments and pockets)
- Water containers for each family member. Alternatively, you can purchase water containers with filtration devices inside them.
- Water purification tablets
- Food for three days (remember foods that are lightweight and high in calories)
- Mylar blankets or bivvy for each member of the family
- Tent, tarp or some sort of alternative shelter
- Season appropriate clothing (3 days worth)
- Firestarters
- Waterproof matches and Bic lighters
- Charged cell phone or alternate communication
- Maps of the city and state (if you have not already purchased)
- Flashlights for each bag with extra batteries
- Mess kit and utensils for each family member
In addition to the above points, there are some specific things to do when it’s time to flee. These include the following:
- Bug out at night if possible. In case of riots or war, the hours between 2 and 5 AM are usually the quietest. You’ll be sure to avoid traffic jams this way, but not security checkpoints. You should be informed about where those are so you can avoid them.
- If the disaster won’t allow you to wait, you should quickly decide whether you can go on foot or by car. Be prepared to ditch your vehicle at any moment and continue your journey on foot.
- If you have time, throw in as many supplies and valuables in your car as you can. Ideally, you should have them ready to go.
- Make sure you already have a car bug out bag, loaded with supplies.
- Be very careful as you are advancing. The key is to not be seen, day or night. If it’s night-time, I suggest you avoid using flashlights. If you’re moving by day, make sure you do it in a way that doesn’t attract attention (dress generically and drive slowly).
- You can’t take everyone with you (friends, co-workers) so, unless you really have the room and supplies, you shouldn’t do it. I know it sounds harsh, but you may be putting your own life in danger by doing so. I’m not saying you’ll have to do it; I’m saying it’s a possibility.
- Expect to be separated from your family, particularly if you’re bugging out on foot. To prevent this, make sure you all have walkie-talkies, extra cell-phone batteries and chargers, maps of the area, rally points, and that everyone knows how to get to the bug out location, whether by car or by foot.
When Precious Minutes Count, Be Ready
While we have created evacuation checklists in the past, we wanted to provide a free handout that prints out easily and can be stored in your preparedness binders and/or bug out bag. Take the time and get prepped!
Also, I highly recommend this book to everyone. 300 pages, color paperback. The Lost Book of Remedies is helping Americans achieve medical self-sufficiency even in the darkest times using the time-tested methods of our grandparents without spending lots of money on toxic drugs and without side effects. A great asset when doctors and hospitals won’t be available anymore. You may not be Claude Davis, but you can make use of his procedures and techniques to increase your chances of survival!
