Siskiyou County Emergency Preparedness Guide - Evacuation Process

Warning/Order/Shelter-in-Place

Evacuation Warning and Orders
Some evacuation terms you may hear are Evacuation Warnings, Evacuation Orders, and Shelter-in-Place. For your safety, it is important that you follow ALL evacuation instructions immediately.

The Evacuation Process
Officials will determine the areas to be evacuated and the routes to use depending upon the safest option based for the specific incident.
Law enforcement agencies are typically responsible for enforcing an evacuation order. Follow their directions promptly!
You will be advised of potential evacuations as early as possible. Sign up to the County Code Red Emergency Notification System.

Evacuation Warning

An Evacuation Warning means get ready to evacuate. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents may have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. This may be the only notice that you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates. This is the time to evacuate large animals. Have a plan to evacuate large animals and a secondary place to take them. The county will open a large animal shelter, but this can take some time. Be proactive and have a place to take them outside the affected area.

This is also the time to evacuate anyone with access or functional needs. Have a second home or place to take someone who has these special needs. Even though an evacuation order might not come, it takes time to move these patients and this is the time to do it.

Evacuation Order

An Evacuation Order means that you need to Leave Immediately!

Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. Do Not Delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. Access to evacuated areas may be denied until conditions are safe for citizens to return. Do Not plan to return to check on your house or animals. If it’s not safe for them, it’s not safe for you!

Shelter-in-Place

• Keep enough supplies on hand for your family and pets for at least three days, or up to seven days If possible.
• Remember that during a disaster some services can be out for an extended period.
• Be sure to store shelf-stable foods, and one gallon of water per day per person or pet.
• NEVER ration water unless told to do so by authorities.
• Store the items in an easily accessible place, and in quantities that are easy to handle.
• Keep an extra supply of important items such as medications, baby supplies, pet supplies, special dietary items, etc. Refer to page 8 for a sample checklist.
• Remember to rotate your stored items every six months.
• Be sure to listen to your radio to stay updated on the emergency. Authorities will inform you about the status of the emergency and issue any special instructions such as a boil water advisory.
• Plan to have activities for your children such as coloring books, board games or puzzles.

Extended Sheltering in Place
Professionals in emergency management recommend that everyone be prepared to shelter in place for longer than three days. Some even recommend storing a month or more of essential supplies. Plan for as long as you realistically can. Winter storms can result in trees and limbs across many roads, heavy snow pack, or major flooding. Many natural disasters could result in a power outage or disruption of other essential service for an extended period.

• Think about the supplies you have stored and how long they would last.
• Are there additional supplies you need to store if power or water were out for a month or more?
• How will you ensure sanitation in your home?
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ensuring adequate supplies of your prescription medications.