To avoid panic, take the time now and prepare to evacuate. One never knows what may happen in your area to cause you to be forced to leave your home.

"A fool is one who thinks that 'it' will never happen to them." - Anonymous

While these tips are primarily aimed at preparing to evacuate in the event of a hurricane, they are also applicable for any type of disaster where you may be forced to leave your home.

• Where are you going to go if you are forced to evacuate? Family or friend in another town, a motel or an emergency shelter? Now is the time to prepare to evacuate.

• Have a couple of family meeting places; one near your residence, the second within a couple of miles.

• Prepare your bugout bag and emergency survival kit.

• How are you going to care for your pets? Remember, only service pets are allowed in shelters.

• How are you going to evacuate? Drive, walk, ride a bike?

• Keep a half a tank of gas in your vehicle at all times.

• What route are you going to take? Make sure you have a couple of alternate routes, especially if you live in a large metropolitan area.

• When the “event” occurs, if there is time:
  
  • Advise your emergency contact that you are evacuating and where you are going.
  • If you don’t have an out-of-town contact, leave a note so others will know when you left and your destination.

• Be a Good Samaritan and see if others in your neighborhood need a ride out.

"In moments of crisis, the initiative passes to those who are best prepared." - Morton C. Blackwell

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