If you are given an evacuation order, do it!

[IndyPragmatist]

This means that the government has also told many public safety officials (EMTs, doctors, etc) to evacuate as well for their safety. If you stay, which you have every right to, you must know that you may not have access to services that are normally available to you.

Too many people ignore the emergency evacuation orders and then point the finger when there isn't anyone around to help them. Exactly, you were told that nobody would be around to help you, that's why the evacuation order was issued.

Living in Indiana, we rarely have large scale evacuations, but we do occasionally have smaller evacuations due to flooding. Every time, there are a few people who decide that they can handle it on their own. Then the power goes out and their water isn't running and they start screaming for help. These people are not only putting themselves in danger, but also emergency workers.

So my point is: if you are told to evacuate, do it! If you don't evacuate, don't expect help to come as soon as you call.

[LaurenG]

1. Help may not come for days/weeks depending on the situation and if you are under debris

it will be horrible.

Please be smart and take care of yourselves.

[Harmony Blue]

2. This is uncharted territory for many

so I hope the worst case scenario does not unfold.

[MarianJack]

3. Terriffic Point, IndyPragmatist!

If we're told to evacuate, our rumps are GOING! K & R!

PEACE!

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Down here in hurricane country, this is what the EMS tells people:

"If you choose to ignore evacuation order, be sure to write in permanent marker, on your chest or somewhere on your body,
your name, your SS # and your address, and next of kin telephone #,
so we more easily identify you when we find your body."

Then they have the person sign a paper stating they are choosing to ignore evacuation orders and releasing all claims to sue.
That usually gets folks packed up.

Remember, even if you do not live near flood or water danger, hurricanes spawn tornadoes.
We are high and dry where we live, but a tornado roared down the street a block over from our house during Ivan in 2004.

[intheflow]

6. The most people to die in Mississippi during Katrina

lived upstate, and died as a result of tornados spinning out from the storm.

Likewise, most of the people who died on the coast were people who'd never had storm surge travel so far inland. Primary cause of that: development of wetlands.

[intheflow]

5. During Katrina, the 911 phone bank had to be evacuated,

and it's backup location had already been evacuated. Not only might there not be someone to respond to your call, there might not even be anyone to answer your call.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/07/AR2005110701334.html

[TBF]

7. We are in an evacuation zone and we go - tips for when you come home

- Many neighborhoods have a HOA website you can check to find out if power is back on. Don't come back until it's on. Also exchange numbers with neighbors - you can text each other and decide when to return.

- Take a large cooler with you because you will need to buy groceries to bring home. Stores in your area will lose power and have to dump all their perishables. Folks will buy out the non-perishables. They can't restock until trucks get back in.

- Your home may lose power for days/weeks. You'll need to clean out your refrigerator/freezer when you return. (That's why you need the big cooler to keep your new groceries in until you're done cleaning)

- Buy gas aways out when you are returning. Your local gas stations may well run dry (they do here) and the trucks have to get through to refill them.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Excellent info. Advice for AFTER the worst is over is in short supply

( along with everything else)

[jtrockville]

8. IF you decide to stay (against an evac order) use the MAGIC MARKER RULE

The magic marker rule: write your SSN on your arm, so you can be identified afterwards.

Better yet, just evacuate!

[eppur_se_muova]

16. This is why sailors always got tatoos ....

all over, so that whatever portion of the bloated, partially scavenged corpse was washed ashore, it could be identified.

[yawnmaster]

17. not so sure that that is why they got the tatoos, although they would definitely...

come in handy in that situation.

[Shagbark Hickory]

10. Make it an evacu-cation.

That's what I always did when I lived in floreeduh. It didn't take much to persuade me to get outta town.

[TBF]

11. We call it "hurricane vacation" for the kids -

we take them and the dog and go. We don't have family here so we find the cheapest marriott with a kitchenette somewhere near Dallas, and wait until we hear power is back on before we go home. You can deal with the house when you get back (be sure to Flip-Video it on the way out so you have something to show the insurance agents if you do come home to flooding etc...), it's much easier to ride it out in another city that still has power.

[Shagbark Hickory]

18. yep..Thats how the experienced evacucators do it.

Theres no sense in going back til the power is back on and the roads are cleared of debris.

[gkhouston]

12. If you can take an extra 5 gallons of gas, do it.

And definitely take some oil, antifreeze, and transmission fluid. Don't forget some shop towels/paper towels/rags and funnels. Keep a close eye on your fluid levels--check them before you leave and when you're stopped somewhere.

[tabbycat31]

13. I have already evacuated

And am at my parents house. My town so far has not issued an order but all of the surrounding towns did. (I live in coastal Monmouth County, NJ).

[TBF]

14. Good, glad to hear it. Enjoy the time with your family :)

nt

[Broderick]

15. Naw

Heading to the beach to watch the fun.