Evacuation


What does it mean to evacuate?

To Evacuate means to leave your home or workplace during an emergency and follow an Evacuation Route to a safe shelter.

Before and while evacuating you should listen to your local radio or TV stations for the latest updates.

Emergency management officials will use radio and TV broadcasts, including Emergency Alert System messages, to give you further instructions.

This may include information on your nearest Evacuation Route and your nearest public shelter. If you do not have access to a car, broadcast information should let you know about the bus or other transit routes that will be made available to you.

 

How will I know if it is time to evacuate?

Your county emergency management officials will notify your neighborhood of the need to Evacuate or take other Protective Actions. 

They will do this via Emergency Alert System messages on local radio, via Cell Phone, and TV. They may also alert entire areas via community notification systems such as “CodeRED,” which sends messages to home telephones. Officials may even travel with bullhorns in certain areas. 

Remember Your single greatest information source before, during, and after an emergency will be your battery-powered radio. 

 If you are unable to listen to the radio or believe you may miss these messages, make arrangements with someone in your neighborhood. Make sure someone will reach out to you, to keep you informed. 


How Do I Evacuate?

By now you should have created your Emergency Supply Kit, including a battery-powered radio and other essential items. If you haven’t, go to the Glynn County EMA webpage and visit the Your Kit / Your Plan page.

Your Kit contains all the items you will need to Shelter-in-Place or Evacuate. Keep in mind that you will not necessarily want to take all of these items with you when you Evacuate. 

For example, if you do not have your own car, you might not be able to carry three days’ worth of water for each person in your household! Food and water will be provided at public shelters. 

When evacuating you should consider taking the following items for your “Go Kit”: 

  • Battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries 
  • Extra clothing and footwear 
  • Two blankets per person 
  • Medical items such as prescriptions 
  • Any specialty items related to disabilities 
  • Childcare items such as diapers and baby formula 
  • Cash, identification, and keys 
  • Food or snacks 
  • Reading material or children’s toys 

Think about the number of bags you and your family may need to carry these items. These items and bags are your “Go Kit.” Prepare them now and keep them with the rest of your Emergency Supply Kit. 

Remember: If your home is threatened by flooding or fire, you may have as little as 10 minutes to evacuate. Trying to think of what to save is very difficult in these circumstances. Consider keeping a list of high-priority items you might try to save if you only had 10 minutes. If you cannot carry these items, leave them! 

Follow this link if you have Disabilities or other Special Needs. Individuals with special needs often require additional time and assistance to prepare for a disaster. 

  • If you have a medical problem and will need assistance, call the Glynn County Health Department, Office of Community Services, and give them your name, address, and phone number NOW, not when the storm is approaching. Your name and address on the Agency's list will assure that you receive assistance in evacuating if the need should arise. The phone number for the agency is (912) 264.3961. If you change residence, please call and give the agency your new address.


Your Evacuation Plan

First Steps:

Your state and county emergency management officials have evacuation plans for all hazards. Please download a copy of the Glynn County evacuation zone map which includes information regarding evacuation routes.

  • But remember: Evacuation routes may change in the event of an emergency. 
  • The latest and best information will be available from your local officials. During emergencies, follow county website updates, and county social media sites, and listen to a battery-powered radio for their instructions.

If you do not drive or do not have access to a car, buses or other forms of transit will be made available to you.

  • Visit our Need-a-ride tab on the Glynn County website for details on evacuation plans for transit-dependent individuals. 

Learn how to SAFELY shut off the utility services to your home, including water, electricity, and natural gas.

  • If your home is at risk of being damaged, shutting off the utilities before you evacuate will help prevent further dangers such as flooding, fire, or explosion. 

If you have disabilities or other special needs, you might need additional time to prepare for a disaster.

Make plans for your pet.
 Not all public shelters cannot accept pets unless they are ADA service animals, so you must plan accordingly.

  • Consider staying, or leaving your pets, with a friend who lives out of state. 
  • If necessary, stay at a pet-friendly hotel.

 Public Shelters

  • When an evacuation is ordered in Georgia, public shelters will be available to provide food and a safe place to stay. 
  • However, you should be aware that these shelters may not be able to meet all dietary needs. They may not be able to provide the medical care you may need. And they may not be able to take in pets, except ADA assistance animals. 
  • During a major emergency, the best place to evacuate is in the comfort of friends and family. If possible, make plans now to shelter with a relative or friend who lives out-of-state in the event of a major emergency. 

When It’s Time to Evacuate

  • If PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS order you to evacuate, take that order seriously and act IMMEDIATELY. Leave as soon as possible.
  • Bring your Emergency Kit and review your Emergency Action Plan. 
  • Take your pets with you. Remember that pets (other than service animals for people with disabilities) may not be permitted in emergency shelters. You may have to follow your plan to go to a friend’s home or a pet-friendly hotel. 
  • Lock your home. 
  • Use travel routes specified by local authorities – don’t use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous. 
  • If flooding is a danger: Avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges. Stay away from downed power lines.
  • If your home is at risk of being damaged – AND you are sure you’ll have TIME: 
    • Call your family contact to tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
    • Shut off water and electricity before leaving unless local officials advise you to do otherwise.
    • Shut off the natural gas service to your home– but first, be sure you know how to do it SAFELY! 
      • If you can SMELL GAS: 
        • DO NOT attempt to shut off the natural gas service to your home! The smell means there is a gas leak and attempting to shut off your service could cause a spark and an explosion.
      • If you DO NOT SMELL GAS: 
        • Use a non-sparking wrench to shut off natural gas service to your home at the main valve unless local officials advise you to do otherwise.
        • If you are unable to do this, find the shutoff switch for natural gas service your laundry drier, and shut it off.
      • ALWAYS REMEMBER: 
        • When you return to your home after an emergency, DO NOT use candles, matches, or other open flames indoors until you know for certain that there is not a natural gas leak inside the home. This could cause a deadly explosion.
    • During flood emergencies, if time permits and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate belongings, or move them to a higher floor to protect them from flooding.
  • Listen to local authorities. They will provide you with the most accurate information specific to an event in your area. Stay tuned to your battery-powered radio or TV.