Steps homeowners should take if forced to evacuate due to natural disasters

Natural disasters are becoming increasingly common across the United States. In 2023, there were 28 instances of extreme weather, including floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and fires. These events caused $92.9 billion in damages and forced an estimated 2.5 million people to evacuate their homes.

Currently, there are at least 55 active forest fires in the Western half of the country. In August, flooding in Connecticut led to a state of emergency and displaced hundreds of residents. Tornadoes struck Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky in May, resulting in 19 fatalities.

Given these circumstances, homeowners should have an evacuation plan ready. Here are some steps to take:

Create an evacuation plan

Peter Duncanson from ServiceMaster Restore advises creating an evacuation route for family members and meeting places inside and outside your home well before a disaster strikes.

Ted Olsen from Goosehead Insurance emphasizes the importance of preparing a plan that includes safe locations for family members and pets: “Preparing a plan in advance will help you stay calm when a hurricane is approaching."

It is also advisable to prepack a "go bag" with essentials such as water, snacks, flashlights, batteries, chargers, prescriptions, and clothes. Gregg Barrett from WaterStreet warns against underestimating how long you might be away or the extent of possible damage: “One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make during an actual evacuation is underestimating either how long they’ll be away or the extent of possible damage.”

Experts recommend creating a binder with copies of important documents like birth certificates and insurance information. Courtney Klosterman from Hippo Home suggests including medical records: “You’ll also want to include copies of your immunization records."

Don’t try to save everything

Alex Burgess from Hi Marley advises focusing on safety rather than belongings: “Your primary focus in an evacuation should be just that—getting yourself and your family out of harm’s way."

Document the state of your home before you leave

Alex Adekola from Ready Adjuster recommends taking photos and videos of your property if time allows: “Include the interior along with all major belongings such as furniture and electronics."

Return to your property with caution

Ted Olsen advises not returning until officials declare it safe: “Acting swiftly to address damage can save significant costs.” He also recommends documenting any post-storm damage for insurance purposes.

Ariel Gurian suggests securing exposed areas upon return: “Clearly mark any hazardous areas on your property to prevent accidents.”

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible

In case of mass evacuations where many claims are expected, contact your insurance provider promptly. Keep receipts for expenses incurred during displacement since many policies cover these costs under "loss of use" clauses.

Maintaining documentation throughout this process is crucial for efficient communication with insurers or contractors involved in repairs.