Evacuations

 
Evacuation Authority

As the local authority, the District of Metchosin is responsible for ordering evacuations to evac noticesave lives and ensure public safety.  This power is granted under section 12(1) of the Emergency Program Act through a declaration of local state of emergency  by the Mayor of Metchosin or designate.

Under urgent circumstances, a number of statues within provincial legislation also allow evacuations to be ordered at the emergency site level.  Emergency site level evacuations are commonly referred to as tactical evacuations.

Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe you are in danger.

There are three stages to the Provincial Evacuation Guidelines :

  1. EVACUATION ALERT
  2. EVACUATION ORDER
  3. EVACUATION RECIND

(click on the evacuation stage to learn more)

If you are told to evacuate, take:

  • your emergency kit
  • your emergency plan
  • essential medications and copies of prescriptions
  • a cellular phone (if you have one)
  • your pets

Protect your home:

  • Shut off water and electricity if officials tell you to.
  • Leave natural gas service on, unless officials tell you to turn it off. (If you turn off the gas, the gas company has to reconnect it. In a major emergency, it could take weeks for a professional to respond. You would be without gas for heating and cooking).
  • Lock your home.

If you have time:

  • Call or e-mail your out-of-town contact. Tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive. (Once you are safe, let them know. Tell them if any family members have become separated.)
  • Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
  • Follow instructions from authorities.
  • Take your emergency kit, plan, medications, wallet, identification, and cell phone.
  • Shut off water, electricity and gas if instructed to do so.
  • Notify your out-of-town contact and leave a note inside indicating when you left and where you are going (if time permits).
  • Lock your home.
  • Use specified routes and pay attention to information on road closures. Stay off any identified “disaster response routes” which are for emergency responders only.
  • Do not cross a flooded area by foot or in a vehicle. If your vehicle stalls in fast-rising waters, abandon it.
  • Register with a local reception centre in person or by phone.
  • Do not return home until authorities advise it is safe.

 

Click on the following link to review the 2020 District of Metchosin Evacuation Concept of Operations Plan: