How to Make a Hurricane Evacuation Checklist

In the event of a major hurricane, coastal residents may be ordered to evacuate their homes as the storm approaches. Putting together an advance hurricane evacuation checklist will help you and your family remain organized and prepared if an emergency evacuation is necessary. This article provides information on how to create a basic hurricane evacuation checklist.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Prepare Your Hurricane Evacuation Checklist

1. Add to your checklist "Where You'll Go". In the event of a hurricane evacuation, you should know in advance where you'll go if you have to leave your home. Plan not only a safe evacuation route, but an alternative route in case of flooding, heavy traffic or other problems. Keep this plan in a safe place, along with the numbers of hotels/motels on your route and also those at your destination. In the event you cannot evacuate the area safely in time, write down the names, addresses and phone numbers of local hurricane shelters.

2. Add to your checklist "What You'll Take". In the event of a hurricane evacuation, write down items you need to take with you and their location in your home. These items include flashlights, batteries, battery-powered radios, prescription medication, special-needs items for family members, important documents such as birth certificates, insurance documents and phone numbers, social security cards and numbers, investment and credit card documentation, hurricane re-entry passes, and valuable photos.

3. Add to your checklist "Who You Will Notify in the Event of a Hurricane Evacuation". Designate one or two friends or family members who you will call with updates on your hurricane evacuation. Designate these individuals to call other friends and family members so that you can safely evacuate your home and also drive safely in the event of an emergency. Make sure the names, numbers and email addresses of these designated friends and/or family members are with you in the event of an evacuation.

4. Add to your checklist "How You Will Care for Your Pet". In the event of a hurricane evacuation, write down how you will care for your pet. Many hurricane shelters do not take pets or only allow service animals, so have a plan in place for your pet's care and safety. When taking your pet with you in the event of an emergency evacuation, make a list of hotels and shelters on your route that will allow pets. Do not leave your pet behind in the event of a hurricane evacuation.

5. Add to your checklist "Preparing Your Home" On your list, you should have items you'll need to prepare your home for a hurricane prior to an evacuation. Include actions, such as bringing items inside that could be blown away or into your home by the wind, including all outdoor furniture, trash cans, container plants, outdoor decor, etc. Any secondary vehicles should also be brought into the garage. Boarding windows and/or preparing hurricane shutters should also be considered if time allows. Know how long each item takes to accomplish. This will help you plan in the event of an evacuation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are a coastal resident whose town or city issues hurricane re-entry passes to residents (passes that allow residents to come back after a hurricane evacuation before others are allowed in the area), don't forget to place your re-entry pass in your vehicle for your post-storm return. This will allow you to get back to your home as soon as possible after the hurricane has passed.
• Review your hurricane evacuation plan annually to make sure all contact numbers are correct, and add to or revise the plan as necessary.
• Do not wait until a hurricane is upon you to decide your evacuation plans. Planning ahead on what you will do and where you will go will save you and your family and friends from increased worry during a major hurricane.

Resources

• American Red Cross Hurricane Evacuation Plan Tips
• FEMA Hurricane Evacuation Plan Information
• Louisiana Homeland Security Hurricane Evacuation Checklist
• Florida Family Disaster Plan Creator