UTAH FLOOD WATCH

How to be better prepared for short and long term evacuations

Apr 25, 2023, 4:00 PM | Updated: Apr 26, 2023, 10:31 am

prepared evacuations...

Red Cross volunteer Kay Stevens carries her luggage in Murray on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, as she prepares to go to Louisiana to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Red Cross volunteer Matt Davidson walks next to her. (Photo credit: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

(Photo credit: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — As more homes become at risk of collapsing due to shifting earth and inclement weather, one professional said when it comes to being prepared for evacuations, time is of the essence. 

“It’s important to plan ahead, ” Wade Mathews from Be Ready Utah told Dave and Dujanovic. “But our evacuation steps are going to depend on how much time we have.” 

Mathews says it’s vital to plan for two hypotheticals surrounding how much time you have to evacuate. One hypothetical is a notification reading to get out now. And another is a notification reading to get out in 30 minutes. 

Specifically, if you experience an immediate evacuation Matthew provides simple steps. These steps are: grab your family, get in your car, make sure your neighbors have a way to go, and leave.

Whether it be a wildfire or extreme flood, once Be Ready Utah gets word of evacuation, they reach out to American Red Cross. 

Next, American Red Cross uses its training and means to set up a shelter for long-term and short-term evacuations.  

According to Matthews most people opt out of the shelters and stay with someone they know. However, for those without that option, Matthews said it’s not uncommon to keep the shelter open for one or two families. 

Plan ahead

Where are you going to go? What am I going to take? Matthews says these are important questions to already have answers to prior to evacuations. 

One way to do this, beyond a disaster kit, is an evacuation list. 

“[Take] a three-by-five card write down 12-15 items and where you keep those. Keep that card with an empty container. So that if I get that evacuation notice I can go gather up those albums,” said Matthews.

The items should be irreplaceable, valuable things. However, if not granted the time, Matthews says your life is your main priority. 

As Matthews points out, many get stuck in the habit of milling. Not acting fast, seeing who else is evacuating and what they are bringing. 

“We’ve got to just train ourselves to act immediately, and avoid milling and save our lives that way,” said Matthews. 

Listen to the segment with Be Ready Utah’s Wade Matthews on evacuation preparation. 

 

Related reading

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Utah Flood Watch

Flash flood warning issued for parts of Utah....

Derrick Jones

Flash flood warnings issued in 3 Utah counties

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Garfield, Wayne, and Duchesne Counties. They say to avoid walking or driving through flood waters.

7 months ago

The St. George Regional Airport has closed due to flooding on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Photo credi...

Mark Jones

Flooding forces closure of St. George Airport.

Flooding in the area has forced the closure of the St. George Regional Airport.

7 months ago

Sept. 2015, in Zion National Park, flood that left 3 dead and four missing in Zion National Park in...

Derrick Jones

NWS warns of probable flooding in southern Utah

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a statement warning people of probable flooding in most national parks,

8 months ago

The Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Initiatives just received a $2 million co...

Mark Jones

Salt Lake County mayor ends flooding state of emergency

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson announced the end of the flooding state of emergency on Monday.

9 months ago

Provo residents conserved 700 million gallons of water last year. Combine that with the runoff from...

Allessandra Harris

Provo is going underground to store millions of gallons of water

Provo's underground solution to store water saved from conservation and the spring runoff lies in a system of aquifers.

9 months ago

Sweetwater County officials have a request of those who use their campers or RVs to save a good cam...

Adam Small and Simone Seikaly

Parking RV near Flaming Gorge to save a camping spot discouraged

Flaming Gorge water levels have risen by eight feet since 2022, and continued runoff could equal a flooded camper.

9 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

How to be better prepared for short and long term evacuations