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Family with backpacks and a pet carrier walking calmly to a waiting bus, a helper showing the way

We have been told to evacuate

A loudspeaker van, the warning app, a knock at the door: you are to leave. Whoever sets off promptly and in order now will have the fewest worries later.

First

  1. Take the order seriously and start leaving at once – do not wait to see how things develop.
  2. Take your go bag, medication, documents, phone and charger.
  3. Use only the routes named by the authorities and follow announcements on the radio and warning app.
  4. Tell relatives where you are going and ask neighbours whether they need help.

Call emergency services if

  • Someone cannot leave the house by themselves
  • You are trapped or the route is cut off
  • Someone is injured or acutely ill
  • Fire, water or another hazard is reaching you

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What is happening

Evacuations are ordered when authorities expect a hazard or it has already arrived: floods, wildfire, a chemical accident, a bomb disposal, a threatening landslide. Sometimes there are hours, sometimes only minutes.

Most problems come from hesitation: people wait to see whether it is really serious, pack too much or drive their own routes. Then they get caught in traffic jams, smoke or water. Authorities such as Ready.gov and Germany's BBK therefore advise following orders at once and being prepared.

What comes along depends on the time. With minutes: people, animals, medication, phone. With hours: the prepared go bag, documents, chargers, clothing for a few days. A packed go bag saves time in both cases.

This page guides you through leaving, the journey and arrival. The exact instructions – routes, collection points, emergency shelters – always come from the local authorities.

Step by step

We have been told to evacuate – Phase 1 of 4The order: act at once. Listen carefully to the announcement, warning app or radio: which area, by when, where to? Tell everyone in the household and share out tasks. Ask early who needs help – older neighbours, people without a car. Do not wait to see whether it is “really” serious.
Phase 1 of 4

Phase 1 of 4

The order: act at once

Listen carefully to the announcement, warning app or radio: which area, by when, where to? Tell everyone in the household and share out tasks. Ask early who needs help – older neighbours, people without a car. Do not wait to see whether it is “really” serious.

The animation shows the key actions of each phase schematically; the text below is what counts.

  1. Phase 1

    The order: act at once

    • Listen carefully to the announcement, warning app or radio: which area, by when, where to?
    • Tell everyone in the household and share out tasks.
    • Ask early who needs help – older neighbours, people without a car.
    • Do not wait to see whether it is “really” serious.

  2. Phase 2

    Pack and secure the house

    • Go bag, medication, documents, phone, charger, cash, warm clothing.
    • For pets: carrier, lead, food, medication.
    • Close and lock windows and doors.
    • Turn off power, gas or water only if the authorities ask you to.

  3. Phase 3

    On the way

    • Use only the routes given, no shortcuts.
    • Never drive through flooded roads and never drive around barriers.
    • Keep following the radio or warning app – routes can change.
    • Without a car: go to the named collection point or arrange a lift with neighbours.

  4. Phase 4

    Arrived

    • Register at the emergency shelter or let people know where you are if you stay with friends.
    • Send relatives a message – texts get through overloaded networks more easily than calls.
    • Only return when the authorities allow it.
    • Look after children and older people: exhaustion, fear and sleep problems are normal.

★ Pro tips

What experienced people do differently: proven practice from mountain rescue, fire services, lifeguards and civil protection that beginners rarely know.

  1. Fill the tank as soon as it looks serious

    Fill up or charge the car as soon as an evacuation seems possible, not only when it is ordered. By then petrol stations are crowded, and in a power cut the pumps do not work. In traffic jams the car also uses more fuel than you expect.

  2. Leave a note

    Leave a note where it can be seen saying when you left and where you are going. Ready.gov recommends this so that family and rescuers know nobody is left in the house. That way nobody searches for you needlessly.

  3. Photograph your medication

    Take photos of all your medicine packs and your medication plan. If tablets get lost or the evacuation lasts longer, a doctor or pharmacy can quickly arrange replacements. Remember glasses, hearing aids and their chargers too.

  4. A photo of you with your pet

    Keep a recent photo on your phone showing you together with your pet. If it runs off in the chaos and ends up at a shelter, you can prove it belongs to you. A collar with your phone number helps too.

  5. Unplug appliances

    Before you leave, unplug the TV, computer and other appliances. When power comes back after an outage, surges can damage them or start a fire while nobody is home. Leave the fridge and freezer plugged in unless the house is likely to flood.

What to watch out for

  • Hesitation

    Anyone who waits until they see the danger often no longer has a safe route. Leaving early is almost always better than late.

  • Your own routes

    Navigation apps do not always know about closures. The authorities' routes take priority.

  • Going back

    Anyone who goes back before the all-clear to fetch something can walk into the danger and tie up rescuers.

  • Rumours

    False reports often circulate on social media. The authorities' channels and broadcasters are reliable.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting to see whether it is really serious.
  • Packing too much and leaving late as a result.
  • Taking shortcuts through closed areas.
  • Leaving pets behind although there was time.
  • Returning before the all-clear.

Prepare in advance

  • A go bag ready for each person.
  • Copies of important documents, also digital and encrypted.
  • Know two ways out of where you live and a place outside where you can stay.
  • Install a warning app and allow cell broadcast alerts on your phone.
  • Agree with neighbours who helps whom, especially older people and those without a car.

Special consideration

People who need care
Leave early, take aids and medication for several days and tell the shelter what is needed.
Pets
Not all emergency shelters accept animals. Find out beforehand where you can stay with your pet.

Sources

Your situation

How much time?
How will you get away?
In the household

Matching entries

0 rules apply

No AI decides here. Every recommendation is based on a visible rule.

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Basics for this situation

Why: Always applies to this situation – regardless of your answers.

All rules of this situation (7)

  1. [not active] If How much time? = Immediately, only minutes

    With an immediate evacuation only this counts: people, animals, medication, phone. Do not pack anything else that costs time.

  2. [not active] If How much time? = Several hours

    With some time: complete the go bag, secure the house and turn off power, gas or water if the authorities ask you to.

  3. [not active] If How will you get away? = Own car

    Drive only the routes given, no shortcuts through closed areas and never through flooded roads.

  4. [not active] If How will you get away? = No car

    Ask early: neighbours, family or the authorities. Many municipalities offer collection points and transport – the numbers are in the warning messages.

  5. [not active] If In the household = Pets

    Take pets with you wherever possible: carrier, lead, food, medication. Find out beforehand which shelters accept animals.

  6. [not active] If In the household = Someone needs help or care

    Leave early and arrange help. Take aids, medication and devices with chargers. Anyone who cannot leave by themselves contacts the authorities or 112.

  7. [not active] If In the household = Children

    Children at school or nursery are often taken to safety together. Do not drive there if the authorities arrange it differently – meeting points are given in the announcements.