Evacuation

• Know the risks in your community and plan for them 
• Get informed by: 
  • downloading alerting apps like WeatherCAN 
  • or signing up for local and provincial communications
• Make community connections before an emergency, so it is easier to ask for and offer help when it is needed. Create a buddy system. A buddy can help if you cannot return home for essential items, pets, etc. 
• Create a household emergency plan. When everyone is involved, it helps ensure all needs are considered. 
• Pack emergency supplies to last at least 72 hours, and ideally a week or more for each member of your household (including pets). 
• If you do not have time or space to build and store a full emergency kit, create a grab-and-go list instead. A grab-and-go list is a written checklist of essential and irreplaceable items you would take with you if you had to leave quickly. 
   

• Familiarize yourself with the location of your utility shutoffs and how to turn them off if instructed by authorities. See Water shortages for more information on how to turn off the main water supply in an emergency. 
• If you live in a multi-storey building, know your building’s evacuation plan. Review stairwell locations and exits. Do not rely on elevators during emergencies as power can disrupt operations. 
• If your home is moveable (for example, a trailer), keep the tires inflated and fuel topped up so you are not delayed if you need to leave quickly.
• Talk to your insurance provider about what your policy covers, and what it does not cover. Most policies provide financial assistance or short-term housing if you are evacuated. 
• Watch our video on how to be financially prepared for a disaster.

• If you have experienced an evacuation before, identify potential triggers and develop coping strategies ahead of time. A list of resources can be found at Mental Health and Addiction Helplines. 
• Strengthen and practice coping skills for everyday stress like grounding, gentle movement, or slow breathing.
• Reach out for support if stress feels overwhelming. Strong emotional reactions are normal during emergencies.

Before an emergency, it’s helpful to understand what a reception centre is and when you may be directed to one.  
During an emergency, authorities may direct you to an Emergency Social Services (ESS) facility, such as a reception centre. Here you can register, receive information and access short-term support. 

These spaces: 

• are designed to meet immediate, short-term needs
• may feel busy, noisy and unfamiliar, especially if this is your first evacuation
• provide basic, short-term needs such as:
  • simple supplies
  • basic meals
  • lodging
  • essential personal services

Knowing what to expect and planning ahead can help reduce stress, make evacuations more manageable for your household, and allow Emergency Social Services to focus on those with the most urgent needs. 

• Inform friends, neighbours, or loved ones who may not be aware of the situation and check on those who may need help. 
• Stay informed and be aware of changing conditions and any potential road closures or alternative routes. 
• If water is a threat, move important and cherished items to an above ground location 
• Turn devices to power saving mode, and tune into local news channels like radio. If possible, monitor your community’s website and social media for updates.
• Ask unaffected friends and family to update you via text.

When an evacuation alert is issued, officials may tell you how much time you have to prepare in case the situation worsens. Use this time to get ready so you can leave quickly if needed.  

At home  

• Place your emergency kit, important documents and irreplaceable items in your vehicle or keep them by the front door.  
• If power is available, move your vehicle(s) out of the garage in case power is lost.  
• Disconnect automatic garage door openers so doors can be manually opened if power is lost. 
• Move flammable items away from your property (for example, fuel sources like propane tanks and firewood)  
• Close windows, doors and vents   
• Turn off utilities only if directed to do so by local emergency authorities. 

At work

• Review your workplace’s emergency procedures so you know how to act safely.  
• Gather a small “go-bag” at work with water, snacks, medications, a phone charger, and copies of important contacts  
• Let your supervisor or coworkers know about the alert so you can leave promptly if an evacuation order is issued. 

On the road

• Services may be disrupted. If possible, withdraw cash if you do not have any on hand.  
• If the alert affects your route, leaving earlier may reduce the risk of getting caught in road closures. 

Evacuation orders can be issued quickly and with little notice, depending on how conditions change. Follow the tips below to know what to do if you are ordered to evacuate from home, work, or while travelling. 

At home

• Grab your emergency kit and important documents.
• If there is time, close all windows, doors and vents.
• Gather all household members and pets, follow directions from authorities and leave immediately. 
• If available, go to the reception centre for support. Meals, accommodation and basic essential services will be available.  
• Let a loved one or friend who is outside of the evacuation zone know where you are going and when you have made it to the destination. 
• Stay away from the evacuation zone until authorities allow re-entry. 
• Keep all receipts for additional expenses (meals, lodging and other expenses). 

At work

• Grab your emergency kit or the essentials (such as your wallet, keys, phone, medications) if you don’t have one. 
• Avoid returning home unless authorities confirm it is safe. Roads may be closed and entering the area may increase your risk. 
• Head to the designated reception centre or your household’s agreed meeting spot. 

On the road

• Check 511.alberta.ca for real-time road closures, detours and traffic conditions before you travel. Conditions can change quickly during hazards like a wildfire or flood. 
• Obey all roadblocks, reduced-speed zones, flaggers, emergency officials, pilot vehicles and directions from RCMP. Entering a closed area is dangerous and delays emergency response. 
• Stay alert while driving as there may be poor visibility. Watch out for other vehicles, pedestrians and debris. 
• Use low beam headlights in smoke and fog, as high beams reflect the light back to you, creating glare. Drive slowly and keep windows and vents closed. 
• Allow for extra travel time. High traffic volumes are common during evacuations and delays can occur due to smoke, detours and emergency operations. 
• Do not return home until authorities confirm it is safe. Re-entering too soon can put you and first responders at greater risk. 
• Keep your fuel tank topped up to avoid running out if you need to travel a long distance or get delayed in traffic during an evacuation. 
• If there is time, withdraw cash if you do not have any. 

When a mandatory evacuation order is issued, leaving the area is the safest action. In rare circumstances, you may be unable to evacuate due to an imminent threat or lack of time.  

If you are unable to evacuate, it is important to understand the serious risks involved and take steps to protect yourself and those with you. 

• Call 9-1-1 if you are trapped and cannot evacuate safely on your own.  
• Leave the location if it becomes impacted (for example, fire, flooding) and you are safer outside. 

Find psychosocial supports at:

• the Government of Canada’s Evacuations and Mental Health webpage
• the After an emergency page

• Do not turn utilities back on until you know it is safe. Only a registered gas contractor can safely turn gas back on. 
• If you smell gas, leave the premises immediately and contact your natural gas provider. 

• If you see downed power lines, stay at least 10 metres away (33 feet or the length of a city bus) and report them to the power provider in your area. Call 9-1-1 if there is an immediate threat to life or property. 
• After 24 hours of no power, all refrigerated medication should be thrown out, unless the label says otherwise.  
• For extended periods of power outages, all white goods (for example, fridges and freezers) will likely require proper disposal due to spoiled foods contained within. Follow guidelines created by your municipality for proper disposal of these appliances

• Follow any boil water advisories or use bottled water. 
• Test well water before use to ensure it has not been contaminated. 
• If you live in an evacuated area but your well was not damaged by the fire, inspect your well, pumping system and the ground surface immediately surrounding it to check for any damage. See Water Wells that Last – Chapter 5 for additional information.

• Photograph any damage to your home and belongings before cleaning up to support insurance or assistance claims. Do not throw away damaged items until you speak with your insurance provider.  
• Contact your insurance provider to start the claims process. An adjuster will be assigned to walk you through the next steps in the claims process. 
• You can also contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422) or email [email protected] for any general insurance questions.