Urban Area Evacuation

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Many of us live in urban or suburban areas next to major cities. Even those of us who don't often live along the paths between these urban areas. In the event some tragedy spurred a large-scale evacuation of a major urban area (hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, NBC attack, widespread civil disorder) what strategies have you developed for exiting the area if you live in an urban/suburban location. What strategies do you have for securing your home and property in the event you live in a rural area but are on a pathway for a major evacuation?

What plans do you have to deal with inevitable gridlock on major highways?

What type of range and endurance do you have both in terms of vehicles & fuel and food and personal mobility?

 

[R.H. Lee]

Well, I live in a house on top of a hill on several acres in a small (23k) town, so I don't envision 'evacuating'. I am very near a major north/south freeway that runs between LA & SF. If there were a huge frantic evacuation from either place, I'd be more or less in the path. In a real event, however, I think the freeways would quickly be gridlocked by accidents, and nobody would go anywhere; there would probably be major 'chokepoints' frequent enough to keep people in vehicles from moving very far. Would that make for marauding bands of people looking for shelter and supplies? I don't know.

If I lived in a major urban/suburban area, and didn't have small children, I would consider a dirt bike type motorcycle on the railroad tracks as a means of escape. You'd would be away from cars and people, if there were a train on the track at some point, you could just go around. You could travel a long distance relatively safely in a short time.

 

[Old Dog]

What about volcanoes?

You didn't mention volcanoes ... and those of us in Western Washington actually live near some dormant volcanoes (that's right, not extinct, just "resting up") so a large-scale eruption is not out of the realm of possibility ...

Where we live -- the highways are not a good option. Getting to the closest interstate means crossing a long suspension bridge and using a state highway which experiences gridlock everyday in the normal commute ...

So, for me (on the West side of Puget Sound) -- a powerboat's the ticket. As we live on a peninsula, there are only two main highways out, so the waterways are the most practical means of escape our area. My family's plan involves boating out to one of the San Juan islands, up to Canada, or down the coast, depending on the scenario. Gas cans, lots of big gas cans ... not even gonna worry about securing the house; if things are bad enough that we need to evacuate, what belongings we leave behind are inconsequential.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

I've been concerned about NBC attacks for a long time now...

 

[WT]

Florida had 3 massive evacuations this year. Something like 2,000,000 people moved out of a hurricane's path. I don't recall any massive problems or criminal activities. The interstates had slow but steady traffic movement. Some Florida residents in non-affected areas were caring enough to open their homes to strangers who had no place to go.

I know New York City and Washington DC are working on evacuation plans. NYC is working with towns in northeastern PA to set up shelters. I think NYC is looking at 4,000,000 evacuees.

Here is a link to NYC's Office of Emergency Management. Great website.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/

 

[JamisJockey]

Gas. Always keep at least 1/2 a tank in all your vehicles. Its hard to remember to do. If you've got a vehicle that tends to be parked alot (gas guzzler, rv, etc), fill it up after every use so that you can siphon gas from it.
Keep a 'vehicle kit' in your garage in a big closing tub or a rolling suitcase: Folding shovel, tow strap, 2 clevis D-rings rated at 10k lbs or better, funnel, 5 quarts oil, duct tape, electrical tape, 4' length of 1" heater hose, 1' length of heater hose, some tools, fuses, tarp, leather work gloves, latex gloves (for greasy dirty work), coveralls (optional), and at the top of it all keep a hand siphon and about 4' of surgical tubing. Before you go, siphon gas from any vehicle you're leaving behind into your evacuation vehicle. You can also get gas from broken down vehicles, or non-evacuating vehicles along the way.
If you can take bicycles with you. You should have a rack on at least one of the bikes. Why waste gas when you're at your destination for menial everyday tasks?
Keep your 72 hour kit in rolling suitcases. If you have to walk at some point, it sure beats carrying all that crap. Oh, and a 72 hour kit is a minimimum..you should be looking more at a 1-week kit....water gets to be the heaviest part...get a good water filter in that kit.
Staying put should be option one, but of course evacuating may be unavoidable. You can't secure your house enough because any looters who stay behind will find a way inside. Take valuable documents with you. Anything valuable you choose to leave behind should be placed out of sight (crawlspaces, attics under insulation). Turn off the gas, water, and the power to your home. If you have any expensive toys (ATV's, sports cars, etc), try and get them out of sight (backyard under tarp, garage, shed).
I'm sure I'll think of more, but right now my toddler is trying to take the keyboard from me.

 

[NMshooter]

Since you live in Texas drinking water should play a large role in plans for any situation. Things are very dry here in NM, so my options are limited. Be ready to move on foot, with firearms concealed if you bring them. Four-wheel drive vehicles are nice, but they will not go everywhere, so try to plan routes that your vehicle will handle ahead of time.

Next to water, fuel is the next big limiter. Keep a few gas cans around, including at least one in each vehicle, so if you do have a chance to get fuel you have extra storage capacity. The longer the distance you need to travel, the more planning and preparation you need to do beforehand. Staging caches along routes of travel will cut down the supplies you need to carry.

Keep in mind that unless you know you will be welcome at your destination you may be better off trying to stay behind. Regardless of what happens your life may never return to normal, be sure you and your family understand that.

 

[JamisJockey]

Since you live in Texas drinking water should play a large role in plans for any situation

Depends on where in Texas. Sure, the west and south-west are very dry, but the East and central parts have reasonable water supplies.

 

[hm]

All of the considerations above are important, but I think that if you live in an urban area (or nearby what would be a popular route out of the city), part of your egress strategy should also involve being prepared to shelter-in-place for up to 3 days...just in case it takes you that long to feel capable of/safe doing so.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Here in the Magic Earthquake Kingdom- specifically the greater SanFrancisco Bay Area, we have been told in no un-certain terms, that in the occurance of a major geological event (read anything over 8.0) we're on our own for at least three days. That is three days with no civil service what so ever. No electricity, no water and no PD.

Grab a map of the SF Bay Area and take a look; if you're in SF or the upper penninsula, you're hosed- surrounded on water by three sides and only two major highways going north/south... well... shelter in place seems like a good idea.

My plan is to basically hunker in the bunker. Getting out of here in major trauma event would be very unlikely.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Before there is a problem MOVE at least 50 miles from any major city. Look for a town under 5000 smaller the better. Not on or near any major hi way or interstate. If you must work in city but a Honda or what ever that gets 40+p MPG and drive in. Have a Bug out kit in car if trouble and you need to dump car do it You should be able to hike home in couple of days.Cities are Death Trap. We stay away unless we are forced to go, to like hospital. Live in country and live simple You don't really need a BMW or a 1\2 million home. Get rid of credit cards Pay cash and live on one income. If wife wants to work fine use her check to get out of the hole then invest her money for old age. Learn to grow a garden, can what you grow. Try to keep at least 30 day supply of food and work towards a year supply The stress level is much lower out here.Move while there still time and interest rates are low. You can do it. As a retired trucker I have been in every major city in lower 48. In rush hour and non rush hour. There not one I would ever move my family to.