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If You Must Leave Your Home Because of a Disaster

If you are forced to leave your home due to a natural or man-made disaster, here are recommended steps to take before doing so.

  • Make sure gas stoves are turned off before you leave.
  • If you leave your house for an alternative shelter during the winter, leave a faucet on at the end of your water service line so a trickle of water is coming out of the faucet. This should prevent your water line from freezing.
  • If you leave your house, remember to take any medications or special diet supplements with you.
  • If you know of people who are out of town during a natural gas evacuation, please contact the local authorities. These homes need to be checked for pets, etc.
  • If you leave your home, be sure to let relatives know where you are going.

For more information, contact your local utility or Local Health Department.

Return to the Coping with Disasters home page

Last revised December 18, 2015