Live situational awareness
Check current conditions on the live dashboard
Use this planning tool, then scan the live HazardNow dashboard for current alerts, weather, power, air quality, transportation, and infrastructure signals.
Evacuation Time-Budget Prioritizer
Build a prioritized action list based on how much time you have before leaving.
This tool is for general preparedness and prioritization only. It does not replace emergency alerts, evacuation orders, shelter-in-place instructions, road closures, or guidance from local officials. If you are in immediate danger, leave if you can do so safely or call emergency services. Conditions can change faster than this checklist can account for.
For chemical or hazardous-material incidents, evacuation is not always the safest action. If officials tell you to shelter in place, follow that instruction unless you are in immediate life-threatening danger.
No clear official instruction selected. Check local emergency management, emergency alerts, NOAA/NWS where relevant, local fire/law enforcement, or official city/county channels. If you are in immediate danger, leave if you can do so safely.
Based on your inputs, prioritize people, medications, pets, communications, and transportation before documents or property protection.
Do first
- Load people, pets, medications, medical devices, phone/charger, keys, wallet/ID.
- Confirm destination and route using official information.
- Secure mobility aids and supplies for vulnerable household members.
- If vehicle fuel is low, leave earlier rather than delaying for nonessential packing.
Do next
- Grab go-bag, water, snacks, essential documents, pet food/leashes/carriers.
- Send check-in message to emergency contact.
- Turn off appliances only if safe and fast.
Only if time remains
- Pack one small bag of clothing/hygiene items per person.
- Move lightweight valuables only if already accessible.
Hazard-specific warning
Prioritize people, medical needs, pets, communications, transportation, and official route information before documents or property tasks.
Household-specific notes
- No extra modifiers detected from selected household constraints.
Sources
- Ready.gov — Evacuation
- Ready.gov — Make a Plan
- Ready.gov — Build a Kit
- FEMA — What is an evacuation order?
- Ready.gov — Floods
- National Weather Service — Turn Around Don't Drown
- Ready.gov — Hurricanes
- Ready.gov — Pets
- American Red Cross — Pet Disaster Preparedness
- American Red Cross — Hurricane Supply List / Important Documents
- CDC — Chemical Emergency Shelter in Place
- CDC — Chemical Emergency Evacuation
- Ready for Wildfire — Go Evacuation Guide
Related HazardNow resources
FAQ
What should I do first if I only have 5 minutes to evacuate?
Move people first, then essentials like medications, phone, keys, and ID, and leave using official directions. Do not delay for belongings.
Should I wait for an official evacuation order?
No. Monitor official alerts and leave early when conditions worsen, especially if your household needs extra time.
What if officials tell me to shelter in place instead of evacuate?
Shelter and follow instructions; some incidents, especially chemical releases, are safer indoors until officials change direction.
What should I take when evacuating with pets?
Leash/carrier, food, water, medication, and pet records if available; include pets in your plan before incidents occur.
What if my evacuation route is flooded or blocked?
Never enter floodwater or drive around barricades. Use a safer route or move to higher ground as directed.
Can this tool tell me whether it is safe to stay?
No. It prioritizes tasks only and does not replace local official emergency instructions.
More HazardNow tools
Practical planning helpers
Explore the rest of the standalone emergency planning tools. They are informational only and do not replace official alerts or instructions.
Flood Safety
Flooded Road Risk
Check why flooded roads are dangerous and get a conservative do-not-cross risk explanation based on depth, visibility, current, vehicle type, and official warnings.
Severe Weather
Tornado Safe Place
Rank the safest available shelter options during a tornado watch or warning based on building type, floor level, rooms, windows, and mobility needs.
Power & Household Safety
Power Outage Triage
Prioritize food safety, medical needs, temperature risk, generator safety, communications, and backup-power decisions during an outage.
Wildfire & Air Quality
Smoke Clean-Room
Plan a cleaner-air room during wildfire smoke using AQI or PM2.5, room size, purifier CADR, DIY filter options, HVAC recirculation, and mask availability.
Weather Alerts
Alert Decoder
Translate common watches, warnings, advisories, emergencies, and weather statements into plain-English meaning, urgency, and next actions.
Communications Backup
Remote-Work Backup
Estimate how long router, modem, laptop, hotspot, UPS, power bank, or portable power station resources can support essential work and communications.