With wildfire season in full swing across western North America, there is no better time to remind you to make some preparations in case you need to evacuate. Protests continue to affect urban life, and the threat of a riot always looms when emotions run high, so city dwellers may want to consider an evacuation plan, too. Even in the absence of such events, natural disasters of various kinds threaten many cities. Here are some ideas to help you prepare to handle an emergency evacuation.
Consider what you will need to do if you have a day or two to prepare, an hour to prepare, or need to flee immediately.
Start by packing a "bug-out bag," "72-hour bag," or whatever else you might call a pack with your most urgent needs. This may include:
Only you can decide what's in that last category. Decide now, and either pack it ahead of time, or know how to access and pack it in a hurry.
Consider quarterly checks to make sure you've prepared for the seasonal changes throughout the year, and remember to rotate batteries, medicines, and other items with a shelf life.
If you have some time to prepare and pack belongings into a vehicle, your go bag should already be set, and you can then take some time to gather other items. Space will be limited, though, so make a checklist of what you would bring along in order of importance to you. Possibilities include:
If something can be replaced, and is not likely to be urgently required, leave it behind. It would be hard for me to let go of my personal library, for example, but books, music, and DVDs are replaceable.
If there is a disaster on the way, the sooner you can get out, the better. However, no matter how careful your plans, your primary route could be blocked. Fires can cut off your main road, or protests and police response could lock down a city. Accidents could obstruct bridges or tunnels. Other fleeing residents could simply create gridlock. Whatever the case, have a backup plan.
What other roads are available? Have maps on hand. In rural settings, there may be ATV trails, logging roads, or a neighbor's field offering a new avenue of escape. Scout out your area. Talk to people ahead of time and get permission if possible.
If all roads are blocked, can you use a bicycle or travel on foot to avoid the main thoroughfares? If whatever everyone else is doing isn't working, be prepared to do something else. I know Britain has a complex canal network, and the lakes and rivers where I grew up in the midwest offered a unique aquatic escape option. Think outside the box now, and you won't be paralyzed when things inevitably go wrong.
If you're already on the road when things go wrong, and you have your go bags, you can abandon your vehicle to flee on foot while retaining some of your most important preparations.
Getting out of the disaster zone is only half the battle. Where will you go once you are out? Hotels will be full. Campgrounds will be full. Refugee camps will be utter chaos. Do you have family willing to host you? Do you plan to just keep moving until you're beyond most of the rest who are also fleeing? Is camping in the wilderness an option, and if so, do you have any clue what you would be doing?
We are a fairly civilized global society. We don't generally want to think about committing violence. If you are planning to loot and pillage your way out of danger, you need to rethink your plans. If you are not planning to go that route, you need to consider what to do when the looters target you.
Escape without confrontation is the ideal solution. This requires a measure of awareness during your evacuation. Try to anticipate where trouble is likely to be, and don't be there. Keep an eye on what is going on all around you. Know where people, obstacles, and shelter might be found.
If you can't evade conflict, though, you need to be willing to end it hard and fast. If someone is trying to attack you and your loved ones, they chose violence. You will need to respond in kind. Your assailant may be stronger, or you may be outnumbered. If there is a fight, it won't be a choreographed Hollywood showdown.
If you are in your car, you are in a weapon. You may need to drive through barricades or over people. Accept this, and plan for it. Your car is also effective armor against many weapons, so if you can keep moving, do. Don't stop, and don't get out.
If you have firearms, train now. In a fight for your life, aim for center mass and fire until the threat stops. The moment you're clear again, get moving again.
If you have to fight hand-to-hand, any weapon is better than none. I don't want to romanticize this, though. Fight dirty. Tire irons, crowbars, baseball bats, pocket knives, and any other force multiplier you can use is an advantage. Knees and the groin are valid targets. Gouge eyes. Pull hair. If you are in this situation, you are in big trouble, so don't hold back. Your goal is to stop the threat now and get yourself out of the area.
None of this is fun to think about, but planning can bring some peace of mind in uncertain times. Know that when the chips are down, you will be your own first responder. None of this is intended as any kind of comprehensive instructions, just an idea I want to plant in your mind, so the right mindset can grow. Please chime in below with your own suggestions or corrections!
