Services > Emergency Services > Preparedness Guides > Emergency Evacuation and Preparedness

UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND SUBJECT TO FREQUENT CHANGES - ALL INFORMATION MAY NOT BE COMPLETE!!

Evacuation and Preparedness

Queen Anne's County sits in a unique position when you think about evacuation. We are the last stop on the Eastern Shore for folks headed eastbound to get home from the beach or vacations elsewhere on the shore. This holds true for evacuations as well. For events such as severe weather that we see building and coming towards the shore, there is usually enough time to prepare and do a staged evacuation. Were such an event to occur, the Emergency Management Division works with other jurisdictions and agencies in the State and on the DelMarVa peninsula. One major goal is to ensure evacuations are timed so as to prevent a mass exodus all at once from the area. Some of the responsibilities one assumes when traveling to/through or living on DelMarVa are to be prepared, have an emergency plan in place and know what to do and LISTEN to your local officials. Evacuations are a serious matter and are not taken lightly by anyone who partakes in making the ultimate decisions. We realize that all facets of life are effected by these decisions and when they are made and announced, the best and most responsible course of action is to LISTEN.

Your Emergency Management Division works regularly and in concert with a multitude of local, state and federal agencies in developing plans for just such events. The Department of Emergency Services has also developed or assisted in developing traffic management plans for scheduled events, accidents and other incidents where local and highway traffic need to try and get through and around our County.

Should you be in a part of the County where it has been determined an evacuation is necessary, being prepared is the key to prevent last minute anxiety. Plan ahead; instead of a mad dash, evacuate by taking a trip outside of the affected area. Spend some time at a relative or friend’s house. Should you be in a position to do so, make a “mini-vacation” out of it by going to a hotel or lodge for a few days. Have a camper? Make a short road trip out of it. All options should, of course, be outside the affected area.

Having a “Go Kit” containing all or most of the items recommended will be a great asset regardless of what option you chose. Only as a last resort should you rely on a public shelter. Keep in mind, the population of ANY area far exceeds the jurisdiction’s shelter capacity.