Recommendations for Preparing for Evacuation to an Emergency Shelter
Immediate Evacuation:
If you have to evacuate immediately, for the example in the case of a tornado, fire or hazardous materials incident, it is recommended that individuals and families bring the following:
- Personal identification (valid photo ID)
- Medical supplies: prescription medications (bring original containers w/ labels), eyeglasses, and dentures.
- Disaster supplies: flashlight, batteries, radio, cell phone charger
- Clothing: a seasonally appropriate change of clothes
- Pet identification with a current picture of the owner with the pet
- Avoid bringing valuables into the shelter, leave them locked in the trunk of your car
Evacuation for Predicted Event:
If you have to evacuate for a predicted event like a major power outage or major storm where your home, possessions and personal transportation are not structurally impacted and you have a little more time, it is recommended that individuals and families bring the following:
- Personal identification (valid photo ID)
- Medical supplies: prescription medications (bring original containers w/ labels), eyeglasses, and dentures. Other medical supplies for individuals requiring additional assistance
- Oxygen supplies or arrange with your oxygen company to deliver to the designated SNS oxygen shelter.
- Special dietary food, snacks or comfort food
- Bedding, pillow, blanket, etc. (Some shelters will not allow this, due to bed bugs being introduced into the shelter environment.)
- Extra, seasonally appropriate clothing. School clothes for children for an extended shelter stay
- Toiletry items
- Flashlight and batteries & cell phone charger
- Diapers, infant and elderly/disabled necessities
- Time occupier such as books, magazines, games or cards
- Pet identification with a current picture of the owner with the pet
- Avoid bringing valuables into the shelter, leave them locked in the trunk of your car