Understand Evacuations & Shelter In Place

Understand Evacuations & Shelter In Place

Evacuation Terms to Know

Depending on the severity of the situation, an Evacuation Alert or Order may be issued. It's important to understand the difference and to always follow the advice and direction of your local authorities.

  • Evacuation Alert: Be ready to leave on short notice.
  • Evacuation Order: You are at risk. Leave the area immediately.
  • Tactical Evacuation: This happens when a sudden threat to life requires immediate action and there is no time to prepare or issue written warnings. These types of evacuations are often coordinated by the RCMP or local police, with assistance from other agencies.
  • Evacuation Rescinded: The risk to life and safety has now passed.

To be ready, know your hazards and follow PreparedBC's guides to prepare yourself, family, home or business in case an evacuation is ordered.

What to do when you receive an Evacuation Order

During an Evacuation Order, evacuees should do the following:

  1. Leave the area immediately. Choosing to remain puts yourself and others in danger
  2. Follow instructions provided on where to go
  3. Visit EmergencyInfoBC or follow @EmergencyInfoBC for news and updates
  4. Wait for the evacuation to be rescinded before returning home
  5. You may be told to create a profile to access emergency support services (ESS)

Risks and Dangers of not Evacuating

Receiving an Evacuation Order can be an emotional experience. You may be reluctant to leave your home and community.

However, choosing to remain in an area that is under an Evacuation Order puts yourself, your family, and first responders in danger:

  • Evacuation routes can change or become impassible
  • Services, utilities and businesses that you rely on daily may be shut down
  • Help may not be able to reach an evacuated area because of a risk to their own safety or access is blocked

In other jurisdictions, fatalities have occurred when people chose to remain behind or waited too long to leave.

Shelter-in-Place

Receiving a shelter-in-place order means you should immediately seek safety indoors due to an external hazard, such as a chemical spill, severe weather, or security threat. To ensure your safety during such situations, follow these steps:

  • Move indoors promptly, bringing pets and family members with you.
  • Close and lock all windows and doors.
  • Shut down ventilation systems (air conditioners, furnaces) to prevent external air from entering.
  • Do not operate clothes dryer.
  • Do not use fireplaces. Close all dampers.
  • Select a small, interior room with minimal or no windows.
  • Ensure the room has access to emergency supplies, including water, food, a flashlight, and a battery-powered radio.
  • Use a battery-powered radio or smartphone to monitor updates from local authorities.
  • Avoid using landline phones, keeping them available for emergency use.
  • Use duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal all cracks around doors, windows, and vents if instructed by authorities.
  • Avoid using large amounts of water, as it may deplete available resources or affect water pressure needed for emergency services.
  • Stay inside until officials declare it safe to leave.
  • Do not evacuate unless specifically instructed.

Emergency Support Services

Emergency Support Services (ESS) is a safety net program for community members who need assistance to meet their basic living needs during an evacuation. ESS support can include:

  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Clothing

Specialized support may also be available for health services, pet care and transportation.

Register for ESS

If you're under evacuation, you may be able to register for ESS.