Evacuations
On this page
- Stay informed
- Pre-evacuation steps for property safety
- Evacuation "go" bag
- Vehicle safety
- Extra preparations you can make
It is natural for homeowners and residents to feel uneasy about leaving their property and belongings behind. Until you can return to your community, your local RCMP and our law enforcement partners are committed to keeping evacuated communities safe and secure.
Here is some information to help you before, during and after an evacuation.
Stay informed
The decision to evacuate communities is made by municipal and provincial authorities. The situation may change at a moments notice.
The Government of Alberta lists all communities which are under evacuation orders and advisories. To check to see if your community is being advised to prepare for evacuation, has been ordered to evacuate, or has been cleared for return visit: Active emergency updates or phone toll-free 310-4455.
Pre-evacuation steps for property safety
To assist law enforcement in safeguarding your property and belongings during an evacuation, remember to look at it, lock it, and log it.
Look at it
Make sure you walk around your property to check for open gates, damaged fences, open windows, unlocked doors, or things that may need repair that leave your property vulnerable.
Look at the lights around your property and make sure they are in working condition. Do you have enough lights to illuminate your property? Are they shining brightly enough to offer a large field of vision?
Make sure your security devices (cameras, alarm sensors) are in good working condition with fresh batteries in devices that need them.
If possible, ensure there is clear and open sightlines from the road to your home and around your property. Clear sight lines remove the opportunity for thieves to conceal themselves and allow law enforcement to see your home without having to enter your property.
Lock it
Thieves look for opportunities, don't give them any. Ensure that you secure all of your valuables.
Secure all vehicles, doors, and windows on your property. Ensure you have proper and working locks on all doors and windows around your property. Replace any rusted or damaged locks. Secure outdoor structures: If you have sheds, garages, or other outdoor structures, ensure they are securely locked. Store valuable tools, equipment, or vehicles inside, if possible. Reinforce doors and windows by using additional locks, deadbolts, or security bars to make them more resistant to forced entry.
Log it
Take photos of each room of your home and any belongings of value that you have - keeping a visual record of your items will help the police and your insurance company if anything is lost or damaged.
Record the serial numbers of expensive items you have in your home or yard. This information can help officers return stolen items to you when they are located. It is also helpful should you need to make an insurance claim.
Make copies of important documents like: birth and marriage certificates, passports, licences, wills, land deeds, and insurance. Take photos of family members in case you need to make a missing persons report.
Keep copies of these important documents both inside and outside your home. You might want to put them in a fireproof safe, safety deposit box or give them to friends and family who live out of town.
Evacuation "go" bag
In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Alberta Emergency Preparedness has great tips and advice.
You may have some of the items already, such as food, water and a battery-operated or crank flashlight. The key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find.
Make sure your kit is easy to carry and everyone in the household knows where it is. Keep it in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible place, such as your front hall closet.
Here are a few basics to include in your bag:
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Chargers for phones and other electronic devices
- Battery powered radio with batteries, or emergency crank radio
- Pet food, pet supplies and water for any of your furry friends
- Birth certificates, passports, marriage certificates- any paper-based documents that you need and are important to you.
- Sanitation supplies (personal hygiene products)
- An extra set of car keys
- Eye glasses or contact lenses
- Medications
- If you do not have a list of contacts in your phone and instead store those numbers in an address book, make sure to bring it so you can let people know you are okay
- Change of clothing (three day minimum)
- Face masks or coverings to avoid breathing in smoke and other circulating debris
- Three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person
- Main and alternate evacuation routes to get to your safe location
Vehicle safety
Make sure to put gas in your vehicle and try to keep a full tank. You should have enough fuel to get to a safe location in case of an immediate evacuation.
Never leave your car or truck running unoccupied with the keys in the ignition.
Most vehicle theft can be prevented by making sure your vehicles are locked when not in use even if the vehicle is stored in a garage. Never leave your keys inside your vehicle
Do not leave anything of value in plain sight. If stopping for the night, remove all valuables from your vehicle and store them in a safe location. Do not leave personal items unattended overnight.
Use an anti-theft device or alarm on your vehicle - for example, a steering wheel locking device.
Try to park in busy, well-lit areas.
When your vehicle is unoccupied remove items that have personal information like registration papers.
Report auto theft immediately and provide police with make, model, and licence plate number - having this information logged somewhere will make it easier to report.
Extra preparations you can make
Take a USB or external hard drive, and back up any important files or documents you may have on your home computer.
Make sure all your personal devices are fully charged. This includes laptops, cell phones and tablets.
Your family may not be together when an evacuation occurs. Plan how to meet or how to contact one another and discuss what you would do in different situations. Arrange for each family member to call, e-mail or text the same out-of-town contact person in case of an emergency.
Choose an out-of-town contact who lives far enough away that he or she is unlikely to be affected by the same event. If you are new to Canada or have recently moved to a new area, make arrangements through friends, cultural associations, or community organizations.
Assign responsibilities: identify who is responsible for what. The first consideration, of course, is saving human life and getting everyone out safely. Discuss who will be responsible for assisting very young or elderly family members during the evacuation.
Have a "go" bag ready in case of an evacuation and have it near the front door so you are able to leave and not waste time searching for things in an emergency scenario. If you have things of sentimental value, that can not be replaced, have those ready to go in an easy to transport container.
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