If you are advised to evacuate
Local authorities will ask you to leave your home only with good reason, so heed their advice immediately. Listen to your radio or television for additional instructions. You will be directed to a specific location.
Follow these useful tips:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes.
- Take your disaster “go kit" (see page 7 for more information).
- Coordinate with your child-care provider.
- Prepare to relocate your pets (see page 10 for more information).
- Turn off electricity, water and propane gas service.
- For more information on sheltering in place, visit emergency.cdc.gov/shelterinplace.asp.
- Leave natural gas on (unless instructed otherwise).
- Secure your valuables.
- Lock your home.
- Use travel routes specified by local authorities. Do not use shortcuts, which may be impassible.
- Carpool when possible.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
- Know your zone: Review the Sacramento County Evacuation Annex.
Police Patrol
In the event of an evacuation, local law enforcement officers will continue to patrol your neighborhood.
How to shut off gas supply
Shut off your natural gas supply only if you notice structural damage to your house, smell and/or hear leaking gas or you see the gas meter spin which shows gas is leaking.
- Find the main shut-off valve, which is located next to your meter on the inlet pipe.
- Use a crescent or pipe wrench and give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. When the valve handle is perpendicular (crosswise) to the pipe, the line is closed. Do not turn on the gas again after the emergency is over. Ask the gas company to do that.
How to shut off electricity
- Locate your circuit breaker box or fuse box.
- Identify the main breaker, power switch or fuse (usually the largest switch or fuse on the electrical panel).
- Using only one hand, throw the switch to the “off" position (or remove the main fuse).
