Evacuations
Some emergencies — such as a fire or hazardous materials release — may make staying in your home dangerous. In such cases, it may be safer for you to evacuate the area and go to family, friends or an emergency reception centre.
As the authority to order an evacuation can rest with different levels of government (local, provincial or federal), a three-stage evacuation process has been developed and accepted by all levels of government.a
The stages of evacuation
- 1. Evacuation order. You are at risk and must leave the area immediately. Local police or the RCMP enforce evacuation orders.
- 2. Evacuation alert. Be ready to leave on short notice. If you leave before or during this alert, it's called a voluntary evacuation.
- 3. Evacuation rescind. All is currently safe, and you can return home. However, stay tuned for other possible evacuation alerts and orders.
What to do if you are ordered to evacuate
- 1. Listen carefully to the instructions, and make sure the evacuation order applies to you.
- 2. Get your grab-and-go bag.
- 3. Take your pets with you.
Where to go during an evacuation
Evacuation routes are not formally identified because each emergency situation is unique. The safest route will be identified by emergency responders during the emergency.
For your safety, follow the evacuation route provided by emergency officials. Shortcuts may put you in the path of danger.
Take a closer look
Download the North Shore Evacuation Guide and visit the websites below for additional information and resources.
