How to Make a Family Evacuation Plan That Works

Evacuations happen for hurricanes, floods, wildfires, chemical spills and more. Ready.gov says having these plans in place “can save valuable time and, most importantly, lives.” Here is how to build a plan your whole household can follow.

Step 1: Know your zone and your risks

Many coastal and wildfire-prone areas use evacuation zones. Officials order people out by zone, not by street. In North Carolina’s system, for example, Zone A is usually evacuated first, then Zone B, and so on.

To find yours:

1. Go to your state or county emergency management website.
2. Look for “Know Your Zone,” an evacuation zone map or a zone lookup tool.
3. Type in your home address and write down your zone.
4. Do the same for work, school and the homes of relatives you care for.

Ready.gov says state and county emergency management sites list evacuation zones and routes. If you cannot find a lookup tool, call your local emergency management office.

Also check which disasters are likely where you live. FEMA’s National Risk Index shows risks by location.

Step 2: Choose where you will go

Ready.gov advises planning several destinations in different directions. A storm or fire may block one way out.

Good options, in order:

1. Friends or relatives outside the danger area
2. A hotel or motel out of the area
3. A public shelter

North Carolina’s emergency managers call a shelter “a place of last resort during an evacuation.” Shelters still save lives, so know where they are. Ready.gov says to check which shelters are open each year, and the FEMA App shows open shelters.

Step 3: Plan two routes out

For each destination, plan a main route and a backup route.

• Use the official evacuation routes your county posts.
• Ready.gov notes that your evacuation may need to be on foot. Know a walking route too.
• Keep a paper map in the car. Phone service and GPS may fail.
• Drive the routes once in normal conditions so they feel familiar.

During the evacuation, Ready.gov is clear: follow recommended routes and do not take shortcuts, because they may be blocked. Watch for washed-out roads and bridges and downed power lines. Never drive into flooded areas.

Step 4: Sort out transport

If you have a car

• Ready.gov says to keep at least a half tank of gas at all times.
• Fill up when an evacuation looks likely.
• Keep a portable emergency kit in the car.
• Ready.gov suggests one vehicle per family to cut traffic.

If you do not have a car

Ready.gov says to arrange transport ahead of time with family, friends or your local emergency management office. Ask the office if your area has a transport sign-up for people without cars or with mobility needs.

If someone needs extra help

Older adults and people with disabilities may need more time and planning. Utah’s Be Ready program advises planning how the person and their supplies will travel. It also suggests storing some supplies at the evacuation destination ahead of time.

Some areas tell people who need more time to leave earlier than everyone else. See emergency preparedness for people with disabilities for more.

Step 5: Pack a go-bag and use the “Six P’s”

Ready.gov says to pack a go-bag ahead of time and make sure everyone knows where it is kept. Our guide to the 10 must-have items for a basic survival kit covers the basics.

When you have a few extra minutes, the Los Angeles Fire Department’s “Six P’s” list helps you grab what matters:

The Six P’s	What it means
People and pets	Everyone in the home, plus pets and their supplies
Papers	Phone numbers and important documents, such as IDs, insurance and deeds
Prescriptions	Medicines, vitamins and eyeglasses
Pictures	Photos and irreplaceable keepsakes
Personal computers	Laptops, hard drives and other data
Plastic	Credit cards, ATM cards and cash

Print this list and tape it inside a closet door. In a fast evacuation, take people, pets and the go-bag and leave the rest.

Step 6: Plan for pets

Ready.gov says to bring your pets, but most public shelters only accept service animals. Plan their care in advance.

• Find pet-friendly hotels or friends along your route.
• FEMA suggests microchipping pets and keeping ID tags current.
• Pack food, water, medicine, vet records, dishes and a leash or carrier.
• Practice getting each pet into its carrier.

Step 7: Leave early

Ready.gov says to “leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.” Waiting for the last minute means heavy traffic, closed roads and fewer hotel rooms.

Once an evacuation is ordered, North Carolina’s emergency managers advise leaving as soon as possible for your safety. Always follow the instructions of local officials.

Step 8: Before you walk out the door

Ready.gov lists these steps if you have time:

1. Tell your out-of-state contact where you are going.
2. Lock doors and windows.
3. Unplug small appliances and electronics.
4. Keep the refrigerator and freezer plugged in, unless there is a risk of flooding.
5. Shut off water, gas and electricity only if officials tell you to.
6. Leave a note saying when you left and where you are going.
7. Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing.
8. Check on neighbors who may need a ride.

Bring your emergency kit and a battery-powered radio so you can hear official instructions on the road. Your family communication plan tells everyone how to check in.

Step 9: Returning home

Do not rush back. Ready.gov warns that returning home before storm debris is cleared is dangerous.

Before you travel:

• Check with local officials both where you are staying and at home.
• North Carolina notes that reentry is often staged. Wait for the all-clear for your area.
• Fill your gas tank and pack water and non-perishable food for the trip.
• Charge phones and bring backup batteries. Power may still be out.
• Tell friends and family when you leave and when you arrive.

Once you are back:

• Stay away from downed power lines. Ready.gov warns they may be live. Report them to the utility company.
• Never run a generator inside a home or garage. The CDC says to keep generators outside and at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents.

Common mistakes

• Waiting until the last minute, then getting stuck in traffic or weather
• Only one route planned, toward the same storm
• An empty gas tank on the day you need to leave
• No plan for pets, so the family stays behind
• Going home before officials give the all-clear

Evacuation plan checklist

• Home evacuation zone: ________
• Work and school zones checked
• Destination 1: ____________________
• Destination 2 (other direction): ____________________
• Nearest shelter and pet-friendly hotel noted
• Main and backup route for each destination
• Walking route known
• Paper map in the car
• Gas tank kept at least half full
• Ride arranged if no car: ____________________
• Go-bag packed and its location known by all
• Six P’s list printed
• Pet kit and carrier ready
• Out-of-state contact knows the plan
• FEMA App installed and local alerts set up

Related guides

• Family Emergency Plan: 8 Steps to Get Started

Sources

• Evacuation: Be in the Know — Ready.gov / FEMA
• Evacuation Guidelines — Ready.gov / FEMA
• Know Your Zone — North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management
• Fire! What to Do (Six P’s) — Los Angeles Fire Department
• Pet Preparedness Toolkit 2024 — FEMA
• Disaster Preparedness for Seniors — Be Ready Utah
• Carbon Monoxide Detectors — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Wildfire Evacuation Guidance — U.S. Fire Administration