Ordered to evacuate

What makes this different

You may get a knock on the door, an Emergency Alert on your phone, or a police loudspeaker. Leave when told: they know about dangers you cannot see.

First 15 minutes

• Follow Leave quickly: grab bags, medicines, documents, pets.
• Turn off gas and electricity if told to.
• Lock up.
• Tell the out-of-area contact where you are going.
• Go to family or friends outside the area, or to the rest centre the council names.

The van

• If the route is clear, take the van: it gives you shelter, beds and supplies.
• Use the route the authorities give.

Coming back

• Only return when told it is safe.
• Check for gas smells, structural damage and wet electrics before switching anything on.