Evacuation: following official instructions

An evacuation is ordered when the authorities believe that staying is more dangerous than leaving. They rely on information that individuals on site usually do not have: water-level forecasts, wind direction, the spread of a fire or the type of substance released. Sometimes evacuation is precautionary, meaning before the danger is visible – and that is exactly when the temptation to wait is strongest.

Depending on the region, an evacuation is announced via radio, warning apps, sirens, loudspeaker vans or in person at the front door. There are often designated routes, assembly points for people without a car and emergency shelters. Exactly how this is organised differs between countries and municipalities; the local authorities' instructions are always what counts.

The earlier people leave, the better everything works. Leaving early means clear roads, less crowding and no dangerous rescue operations for stragglers. Anyone who stays may later be impossible to reach and, in the worst case, also puts rescuers at risk.

Good preparation turns minutes into enough time. Pack a go bag and keep a document folder with copies of important papers ready. Write a short “last-moment list”: things you cannot pack in advance, such as medication from the fridge, charging cables, glasses or the child's cuddly toy. With a list like this you will not forget anything important, even under stress.

A family emergency plan sets out where you will meet if you are separated and who your contact person outside the area is. Also think about where you can go: to relatives, friends or an official emergency shelter. If a hazard is forecast and you have a car, do not let the tank run low.

When the order comes, take the go bag, documents, medication and pets and go. If there is time and the authorities recommend it, close windows and doors and switch off appliances; shut off utilities such as gas or water only if the authorities instruct you to. Tell your contact person where you are, and register at the emergency shelter's registration point if there is one – that way relatives can find you.

Use only the designated or cleared routes and follow the instructions of emergency services. Shortcuts through closed areas are dangerous, because closures usually have a reason that you cannot see from outside. Never drive through flooded roads and never through smoke – you do not know how deep the water is or what lies behind the wall of smoke.

Not every hazard means: leave. In a chemical or industrial accident the instruction may be the exact opposite – stay indoors, close windows and doors, switch off the ventilation. Anyone who drives off then may end up in the middle of the hazardous cloud. That is why what matters is not a general rule but always the specific instruction from the authorities.

Return only when the authorities have cleared the area. Even then, buildings may be damaged, power lines may be hanging down or gas may be leaking. Watch for gas smells and drinking-water notices, and do not enter anything that looks as if it could collapse.

Anyone without a car should find out in advance whether the municipality, neighbours or relatives offer transport and where the evacuation assembly points are. This applies especially to people who cannot walk or drive themselves. They should agree with the municipality, care service or neighbours how support will be organised, and in a real event request help early – not at the last minute.

Pets are part of the family and come along. Many people delay an evacuation or return too early because they do not want to leave their animal behind. So plan a carrier, lead, food and papers in advance and ask which shelters accept animals.

A typical situation in Germany is the defusing of a World War bomb: a whole neighbourhood has to be cleared for a few hours, often at short notice. Here too, the packed bag helps. And even if an evacuation turns out afterwards to have been “unnecessary”, the decision to leave was right – no one can know for certain in advance how a situation will develop.