Evacuation

What does it mean to Evacuate?

To Evacuate means to leave your home or workplace during an emergency, and follow an Evacuation Route to a safe shelter.

Before and while Evacuating you should listen to your local radio or TV stations for the latest updates.

Emergency management officials will use radio and TV broadcasts, including Emergency Alert System messages, to give you further instructions.

This may include information on your nearest Evacuation Route , and your nearest public shelter. If you do not have access to a car, broadcast information should let you know about the bus or other transit routes that will be made available to you.

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Your local, county or State emergency management officials will notify your neighborhood of the need to Evacuate or take other Protective Actions.

They will do this via Emergency Alert System messages on local radio and TV. They may also alert entire areas via via community notification systems such as “Reverse 911,” which sends messages to home telephones. Officials may even travel with bullhorns in certain areas.

 If you are unable to listen to the radio or believe you may miss these messages, make arrangements with someone in your neighborhood. Make sure someone will reach out to you, to keep you informed.

Also remember:

  • Generally speaking, Sheltering-in-Place, not Evacuation, is the first step you should take during most emergencies.
  • If an emergency is taking place and you are unsure what to do, first Shelter-in-Place. Then listen to the radio for instructions from emergency management officials.
  • If your local, county or State emergency management officials direct you to evacuate, take that order seriously and ACT IMMEDIATELY.
  • You should learn the details of your workplace’s or business’ Emergency Plan. Your business may have a robust plan that includes plans to notify family members, Evacuate and Shelter-in-Place. To learn how to your business can create a plan, visit NJOEM’s “For Business & Industry” page.

By now you should have created your Emergency Supply Kit, including a battery-powered radio and other essential items. If you haven’t, go to the NJOEM Basic Preparedness page and follow the Three Steps to Safety.

Your Kit contains all the items you will need to Shelter-in-Place or Evacuate. Keep in mind that you will not necessarily want to take all of these items with you when you Evacuate.

For example, if you do not have your own car, you might not be able to carry three days’ worth of water for each person in your household! Food and water will be provided at public shelters.

When evacuating you should consider taking the following items for your “Go Kit”:

  • Battery-powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries
  • Extra clothing and footwear
  • Two blankets per person
  • Medical items such as prescriptions
  • Any specialty items related to disabilities
  • Childcare items such as diapers and baby formula
  • Cash, identification and keys
  • Food or snacks
  • Reading material or children’s toys

Think about the number of bags you and your family may need to carry these items. These items and bags are your “Go Kit.” Prepare them now and keep them with the rest of your Emergency Supply Kit.

Remember: If your home is threatened by flooding or fire, you may have as little as 10 minutes to evacuate. Trying to think of what to save is very difficult in these circumstances. Consider keeping a list of high-priority items you might try to save if you only had 10 minutes. If you cannot carry these items, leave them!

Follow this link if you have Disabilities or other Special Needs.Individuals with special needs often require additional time and assistance to prepare for a disaster.

First Steps:

Your local and county emergency management officials have evacuation plans for all hazards. Call your County Office of Emergency Management or local Police Department and ask about the plans for your area.

  • If you live in a coastal area refer to the maps of New Jersey's Coastal Evacuation Routes.
  • But remember: Evacuation routes may change in the event of an emergency.
  • The latest and best information will be available from your local officials. During emergencies, listen to a battery-powered radio for their instructions.

If you do not drive, or do not have access to a car , buses or other forms of transit will be made available to you.

Learn how to SAFELY shut off the utility services to your home , including water, electricity and natural gas.

  • If your home is at risk of being damaged, shutting off the utilities before you Evacuate will help prevent furtherdangers such as flooding, fire or explosion.

If you have disabilities or other special needs, you might need additional time to prepare for a disaster.

  • Go to the NJOEM Special Needs and Disabilities page for advice on how to prepare.
  • Call your County Office of Emergency Management or local Police Department
  • Your municipality or county may have a Special Needs Registry for Emergencies, and you may be listed on it. If not, be sure your local and county Emergency Management and Police officials keep a record of your name and address, and the assistance you may need during an emergency.

Make plans for your pet.
Public shelters cannot accept pets unless they are ADA service animals, so you must plan accordingly.

When an evacuation is ordered in New Jersey , public shelters will be available to provide food and a safe place to stay.

However, you should be aware that these shelters may not be able to meet all dietary needs. They may not be able to provide the medical care you may need. And they cannot take in pets, except ADA assistance animals.

During a major emergency, the best place to evacuate is with the comfort of friends and family. If possible, make plans now to shelter with a relative or friend who lives out-of-state in the event of a major emergency.

  • If PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS order you to evacuate, take that order seriously and act IMMEDIATELY. Leave as soon as possible.
  • Bring your Emergency Kit and review your Emergency Action Plan.
  • If possible, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes for maximum protection.
  • Take your pets with you. Remember that pets (other than service animals for people with disabilities) are not permitted in emergency shelters. You must follow your plan to go to a friend’s home or a pet-friendly hotel. Visit our Pets Preparedness web page for tips.
  • Lock your home.
  • Use travel routes specified by local authorities – don’t use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
  • If flooding is a danger: Avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges. Stay away from downed power lines.
  • If your home is at risk of being damaged – AND you are sure you’ll have TIME:
    • Call your family contact to tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
    • Shut off water and electricity before leaving, unless local officials advise you to do otherwise.
    • Shut off thenatural gas service to your home– but first be sure you know how to do it SAFELY!
      • If you can SMELL GAS :
        • DO NOT attempt to shut off the natural gas service to your home! The smell means there is a gas leak, and attempting to shut off your service could cause a spark and an explosion.
      • If you DO NOT SMELL GAS :
        • Use a wrench to shut off natural gas service to your home at the main valve, unless local officials advise you to do otherwise.
        • If you are unable to do this, find the shutoff switch for natural gas service your laundry drier, and shut it off.
      • ALWAYS REMEMBER:
        • When you return to your home after an emergency, DO NOT use candles, matches or other open flames indoors until you know for certain that there is not a natural gas leak inside the home. This could cause a deadly explosion.
    • During flood emergencies, if time permits and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate belongings or move them to a higher floor to protect from flooding.
  • Listen to local authorities. They will provide you with the most accurate information specific to an event in your area. Stay tuned to your battery-powered radio or TV.

When an evacuation is ordered in New Jersey , public shelters will be available to provide food and a safe place to stay.

However, you should be aware that these shelters may not be able to meet all dietary needs. They may not be able to provide the medical care you may need. And they cannot take in pets, except ADA assistance animals.

During a major emergency, the best place to evacuate is with the comfort of friends and family. If possible, make plans now to shelter with a relative or friend who lives out-of-state in the event of a major emergency.