Having to evacuate your home during an emergency can be extremely terrifying. It's not easy to think about having to leave the comfort of your home and all your belongings inside. But when there is a natural disaster and you're told to evacuate, leaving your home can help keep you and your family safe. While it might be safer, it can also be hard to prepare for staying at one. If you are worried or stressed about here's what you need to know.
First off, if you don't know where the shelter is you can easily find your nearest shelter by texting SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362. You can also use the Red Cross search tool. If an evacuation order goes out while you're separated from other members of your household make sure to let them know immediately where you are and where you're headed. I recommend planning for this situation ahead of time by coming up with a family evacuation plan and meeting spots. Find out where the shelters are in your area ahead of time and make sure everyone knows where they are. I have several shelters marked for my family so they know where to start looking if they haven't heard for me.
We've talked a lot about go bags (it's the name of the sight) and of course you should have one of those prepared. While most shelters will provide things like food and water, there are still some things you will want to bring along. Accommodations at shelters can vary so it's best to have some items like sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, and mats. Because there are a lot of people crammed into one space there can often be a lot of commotion so I like to bring some ear plugs along as well as a sleep mask. You might also consider adding some towels to your go bag. In terms of food, shelters will provide meals and sometimes can accommodate certain dietary restrictions but not always so if you have dietary restrictions or any allergies make sure to bring at least 3-days worth of food. Even if you don't have any dietary restrictions, it's a good idea to have some things like protein bars in your bag just in case.
As I mentioned, when staying in a shelter there are lot of people there so I like to keep my bag secure with a lock in case I need to walk away. I also keep a black permanent marker in my bag so that I can write my name on things.
You could be at the shelter for a while with nothing to do so if you have not packed any entertainment items in your go bag I suggest you do that straight away. You also don't know what the internet/power situation will be so don't rely on your phones and devices.Pack some cards, books, games, and other activities... especially if you have children with you.
Other than maybe boredom and worry that comes along with having to leave your home, staying at a shelter can be a little less stressful with some advanced preparation. Use these tips to make a list, check that your go bag has everything you need, and should it happen that you need to evacuate you will be calmer knowing you have everything you need and your stay will be more comfortable and easier on you.
