Get your vehicle ready for an evacuation: fuel, charge, emergency kit, documents, route planning and tips for wildfire, flood and storm warnings.
- Keep fuel at least half full or the battery charged.
- Stock the car with water, light, warmth, first aid and documents.
- Know two routes and follow official evacuation instructions.
When an evacuation order comes, your vehicle becomes your lifeline. Roads may be crowded, gas stations may have lines or be closed, and cell service may be patchy. A few steps taken now can save precious minutes and reduce stress when you have to leave.
This guide covers fuel, kit, documents and routes for vehicle evacuation prep, with wildfire, flood and storm situations in mind.
Keep the tank at least half full
A widely used rule is to keep your fuel tank at least half full during hurricane, wildfire or winter storm seasons. If you hear an evacuation may be coming, fill up early. Fuel pumps need electricity, so they may not work during an outage. For an electric vehicle, keep the battery well charged and charge when you can. Note that public chargers can be crowded or offline. For more on using an EV in an outage, see electric vehicle or hybrid as backup power.
Stock a vehicle emergency kit
- Water and non-perishable snacks for everyone in the car, including pets.
- A first aid kit and any daily medications.
- Flashlight or headlamp, spare batteries and a phone car charger or power bank.
- Jumper cables, a tire repair kit or sealant, and a basic tool kit.
- Warm blankets, a hat, gloves and sturdy shoes.
- A paper road map, a whistle and reflective triangles or flares.
In cold weather, add a small shovel, traction aid and a windshield scraper. See winter car emergency kit for a full list.
Keep documents and cash handy
Keep copies of ID, vehicle registration and insurance, home insurance details, medication lists and emergency contacts in a waterproof bag. Add some cash in small bills, because card readers may be down. Emergency cash and important documents has a full checklist.
Plan two routes and a destination
Know at least two ways out of your neighbourhood and where you will go: a friend or relative outside the affected area, a hotel or a public reception centre announced by local authorities. Practise driving your routes once. Roads can close quickly during wildfires and floods, so follow official directions over your own plan. Do not drive through floodwater or around barricades.
Share your plan with someone out of the area. Our family emergency communication plan guide helps you set it up.
Wildfire and smoke considerations
If wildfire is a risk in your area, back your vehicle into the driveway so you can leave quickly, keep keys in a known place, and keep windows closed with vents set to recirculate to limit smoke. Pack a go bag ahead of time using the wildfire evacuation go bag checklist. Read wildfire smoke and evacuation during a power outage for more.
Do a quick pre-trip routine
- Check tire pressure and the spare.
- Check windshield washer fluid, wipers and lights.
- Load pets and carriers, medications and the go bag.
- Take photos of your home contents for insurance, if time allows.
- Lock up and leave when authorities say to.
Run through the list at the start of each storm or wildfire season. The more you rehearse, the calmer you will be when it counts.
It also helps to think about people who rely on you. If you have older relatives, a child with special needs, or pets, plan extra time for loading and decide who will drive and who will help. Keep a list of the pets' vaccination records and a carrier or leash in the car. If you do not own a car, arrange a ride with a neighbour or check with your local authority about assisted evacuation options before an emergency. Keep a printed list of hotels, relatives and reception centres in the glove box, along with a charged power bank, in case your phone fails.
Quick answers
Should I fill up before a storm?
Yes. If a storm or evacuation is possible, top up fuel or charge early, since pumps and chargers may stop working during an outage.
Can I keep important documents in the car?
Keep copies in a waterproof bag and know where the originals are. Do not leave valuables visible in a parked vehicle.