Natural Disaster Evacuation Plans: please share

[PirateGirl]

Last year we were required to evacuate three times. We didn't leave any of those times! We did pack up, clothes, medications, laptop and had a couple of coolers ready. We have four dogs and would take them, but there is nothing we have to transport 28 chickens! We would have opened the runs and let them go, the best we can do. We are out in the foothills, 25 miles from town. 80 homes were destroyed last year and we were spared from the fires. We learned to have extra of everything. Lots of chicken food, lots of dog food, lots of people food in the freezer and spare fridge in the garage. We have two generators, one to run the house and one for the well in case of power outage. We will probably be burned out sometime in the future, however, that is why we have insurance! We are 15 minutes from ready to evacuate at any time now!

I can't imagine the stress of having to evacuate 3 times. CA and CO have wildfires every year. Usually the snowpack in the area I'm in can keep things moist enough until the summer rains come that the fires are only in other parts of the state, but not this year. The firefighters said this is the worst drought since 1950something. From what I gather, other states are drier than normal as well. Our fire is about 50% contained, which is amazing given the circumstances. It grew to about 13,000 acres. Some days smoke is worse than others, but things are looking better and we've gotten some rain. To our south however, the one fire is now the largest in the history of Colorado at over 100,000 acres. Not good. It's going to be a long summer for sure. I feel better knowing that I'm not the only one who has decided the best plan may be to leave the coop door open and fill up the food and water. I know if I do this, I may never see the birds again, but I feel they at least have a chance of survival.

 

[igorsMistress]

First, I think it's awesome you're thinking ahead. Many people don't and find themselves unprepared. I haven't read through the whole thread, but I second talking with neighbors. You may come upon someone who has been through an evac before. Another resource is your local fire department and red cross. They might know of helpful options available for your animals before you have a trailer to evac with. Find motels in your area that accepts pets if you don't have friends you can bunk with.

When you do have a trailer to load, don't forget temporary outdoor housing for your animals. Dogs, cats and chickens in a trailer? Oh my

I don't have much risk where I live, but used to live in So Cal, AKA Skake and Bake. We were always well stocked with medication, feed, food and water as well as alternative travel methods if we couldn't move by car. Those habits are good to have no matter where you live. Disasters aren't always natural.
Stay safe!

 

[drumstick diva]

I've been reading about the possible Yellowstone Volcano, I have a crappy sense of geography- would that reach (toxic effects) to Western Washington?

 

[azurbanclucker]

I've been reading about the possible Yellowstone Volcano, I have a crappy sense of geography- would that reach (toxic effects) to Western Washington?

Short answer is "Yes." Western WA would be in the tertiary ashfall zone from a large scale eruption at Yellowstone, so you'd have potentially up to a foot or more ash raining down and blanketing everything. In addition, once that ash and gas cloud hits the upper atmosphere, it's world impacting. The jet will carry it all around the Northern hemisphere and make everyone's day suck.

The good news is, that in spite of all the sensationalized news reporting coming out seemingly daily, long term observations at the park indicate that things are more or less normal and the eruption risk is not elevated. There are other volcanoes right now with bigger potential risk than Yellowstone, including St. Helens (which is still active and in a period of dome building).

 

[PirateGirl]

I've been reading about the possible Yellowstone Volcano, I have a crappy sense of geography- would that reach (toxic effects) to Western Washington?

I believe it's the geographically largest active caldera. It's reach is huge. I know my home is a 12 hour drive from there at best and in the impact zone. As @azurbanclucker said, the ash and gas will be widespread. Where you are at and I am at in terms of distance, we may not get hit by a flying rock or have our towns swallowed up into a molten rift, but there will still be serious effects.