As coastal areas pay close attention to hurricane season and many other areas of the country experience wildfires, now is a great time to develop an evacuation plan with your family, and practice it to ensure you know what to do should an emergency occur. In some circumstances, local officials decide that the hazards are serious and require mandatory evacuations.

Wherever you live, knowing what to do in the event you need to leave your home is critical. Review these evacuation guidelines from the Ready Campaign and develop your plan now:

• Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood. Develop an emergency communication plan to decide these locations before a disaster.
• Keep at least half a tank of gas in your vehicle at all times in case you need to evacuate.
• Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area. Choose several destinations in different directions, so you have options in an emergency.
• Plan how you will leave if you do not have a car.  Make arrangements with family, friends, or your local government.
• Take your emergency supply kit with you.
• Take your pets with you, but understand that some public shelters may only admit service animals. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.
• Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions, and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding. If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas, and electricity before leaving.

The FEMA mobile App can also help you create an evacuation plan, make an emergency supply list, and provide you with weather alerts from the National Weather Service. Take action today to prepare for an emergency.