Evacuation Resources

How to prepare for an emergency

BEFORE AN EVACUATION 

Fires, flooding, and other hazards may cause local officials to issue an evacuation order. You and your family may have only a few minutes to take what you can and leave. You might also not be at your home, or away from your loved ones, when an evacuation order is issued. 

Here are some steps to consider in planning for an evacuation. 

Stages of Evacuation: 

If you are asked to evacuate, it is important to know the different stages of preparation that are needed based on direction from the authorities. 

Evacuation Order: You are at risk and must leave the area immediately. Follow instructions from emergency officials.

Evacuation Alert: Be ready to leave on short notice. This is the time to gather your emergency bag for your family and if you have a vehicle, ensure it has fuel. In the alert stage, you may choose to voluntarily evacuate. 

Evacuation Rescinded: Emergency officials have determined the area is safe for you to return home. Please continue to monitor for other possible evacuation alerts or orders.

Create a plan:

• Identify escape routes, contact numbers, and a place to meet if you and your loved ones are separated. Discuss the plan as a family.
• Don’t forget to plan for your pets! How will you get to them, what supplies will they need, and special considerations such as medications.

Document with photos: 

• Before an emergency happens, take photos of your home. Document your belongings and the conditions inside and outside. This will be helpful should you need to make an insurance claim. 

Prepare an emergency “go” kit: 

Preparing an emergency kit in advance helps you to be ready to evacuate on short notice. An emergency evacuation kit can include: 

• Medications
• Copies of identification documents
• First aid kit
• Flashlights and batteries  
• Food and water for your family and pets
• Extra clothing  
• Cash  
• Comfort or personal items (items for children, blankets, pillows, etc.)
• Extra keys for your home and car

Keep your emergency kit where you can easily find it and include a packing checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything important in a stressful situation. https://emergencyinfo.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/emergency-kit-checklist-en.pdf 

Here are some steps you can take to be better prepared for emergencies: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/emergencies/preparedness/get-prepared.html#s3

DURING AND AFTER AN EVACUATION 

Before you leave: 

• Secure your home and turn off the water and power if you can
• Lock your doors and close all windows
• Grab your emergency “go” kit and important belongings, using your packing checklist 

As you evacuate:  

• Follow directions from emergency officials and stick to designated evacuation routes ·
• Stay calm and drive slowly and safely, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles ·
• Turn on your headlights if visibility is an issue ·
• Once you reach safety, follow instructions on registering at a reception centre or shelter ·
• Notify others that you have evacuated once you are safe 

After an evacuation: 

• Do not return home until officials tell you it is safe to do so
• Dispose of any spoiled food 

Additional Considerations:

• Be careful cleaning up any soil, soot, or ash that may be on your property after a wildfire. returning-home-after-wildfire-evacuation-impacted-properties-en.pdf
• Test your well water before consuming it. using-well-water-after-wildfire-en.pdf
• After a weather event, have any propane or home heating oil tanks inspected for safety prior to returning to the home
• If your home flooded, have the electricity checked by professionals before turning it back on