Evacuation List

Mother Nature has spared us here in the SCV today, but be prepared
in case you wake up to a smoke filled sky.  Here are some things you
can do to prepare yourself in the event of an evacuation.

• Determine what you will take with you and have it all centrally located. Make a list now when you are not rushed, so you don’t forget anything important.
• Have empty plastic tubs available so you can easily and quickly pack things up.
• Contact relatives out of state and let them know where you will be planning to go in the event you have to evacuate.
• Make a video of your home and all of your belongings.  Keep it in a safe place outside of your home.
• Back up any computers you have and keep the files in a secure spot.  You may only have room to take one computer during an evacuation.
• Know where you will go.  If you will have to go to a hotel, have a plan as to witch one and if they have room or get a list of local hotels so you can call them from the car.
• Make sure all of your cell phone batteries are charged.  You may need to be on the phone for a while trying to make arrangements and you’ll need your battery.
• If you have kids in school, know the evacuation plan.  Know where you will need to pick the kids up and what the procedure will be.
• Make sure your personal documents such as passports, birth certificates, home documents, etc are all secure and kept together so you can easily grab them.
• Have a plan for your animals.  Contact local shelters and ask if they have a waiting list or what they will make available in the event of an evacuation.
• Clean out your car.  Make room so you can just pack up your car quickly without having to un-pack it first.  Make sure your trunk is empty and have an idea of
  how much room you actually have so you know what you’ll be able to take.

These are just a few things that I went through last year when we
had to evacuate.  If you can think of any other advice, please add it
to the comments.