If you've received a mandatory evacuation order, please calmly and quickly evacuate. Check with your neighbors to ensure they have been made aware of the order. Here is an easy to follow list of what is important to take with you when being evacuated
After being evacuated due to a wildfire, here are the most important steps to do immediately after leaving your home:
- Find temporary housing, preferable for at least a week. It's important to get a good night's sleep and have a central place from which to work. Hotels start to fill up quickly after an evacuation.
- Contact your insurer to let them know you have been evacuated and that you are uncertain about the status of your home. A claim will then be opened. If you do not have your policy available, as them to send you a certified copy - with all endorsements and addendum - overnight to the place you are staying.
- Contact a relative or close friend to let them know you are ok and to act as a central source of information.
- If you don't have one, get a new phone charger for your cell phone. While you're at it, get a backup battery for your cell as well. This will be your mainw ay of staying in touch and you'll want to make sure it is charged and working.
- If you need clothes adn toiletries to get you through the first week, go shopping. Save all credit card and cash receipts for clothes, toiletries, lodging, and meals.
- Keep a record of your mileage. If you suffer a loss, the mileage may be reimbursable.
- If you were able to get your important documents prior to being evacuated make copies and store in a safe deposit box. You may not have a place to stay for a while and you don't want to store valuable documents in your car or a hotel room.
- Try to stay in touch with neighbors - so that if anyone gets information you can share. Facebook becomes a really valuable communication tool when you need it.
- Keep good notes on all communications with your insurance company. After initial contact try to communicate via e-mail. This way you will have a written record of everything, along with the time stamp.
- Above all, stay calm. If you need help reach out. You are not alone in this experience and there will be many resources available to you.
Emergency Evacuation Timeline - Grab & Go List
Here is a quick list of what to grab if you only have a few minutes to evacuate in an emergency situation.
