In emergencies, finding appropriate shelter is one of the most important steps to protect your family. Whether you’re evacuating to a mass care shelter or staying in your home (sheltering in place), knowing how to shelter effectively can save lives. Shelter can provide protection from the elements and safety from dangers.
Mass care Shelters
Mass care shelters are temporary places set up by local governments or disaster relief organizations to provide safe accommodations during emergencies like earthquakes, wildfires, or floods.
Why Use a Mass Care Shelter?
- Evacuation Orders: If El Dorado Sheriff’s Office issue evacuation orders, you may be directed to the nearest shelter for your safety.
- Uninhabitable Home: Natural disasters can make your home unsafe. Mass care shelters provide essential services like food, water, and medical care until it is safe to return home.
- Accessibility: Mass shelters are typically accessible to the public, and many are designed to accommodate people with disabilities, the elderly, and those with special needs.
What to Expect at a Mass Care Shelter:
- Basic Needs: Most shelters provide food, water, and sleeping arrangements. However, they may not have beds or private rooms, so be prepared for communal living conditions.
- Medical Assistance: Some shelters have basic medical services or can connect you to more advanced medical support if needed.
- Emotional Support: Disasters are traumatic. Shelters may offer mental health services to help families cope.
- Rules and Regulations: Shelters have rules for everyone’s safety. This may include restrictions on pets (though some shelters are pet-friendly), prohibited items, and noise levels.
Even though mass care shelters often provide water, food, medicine and basic sanitary facilities, you should plan to take your emergency supply kit with you so you will have the supplies you need. Always bring essential items with you to the shelter, including medications, identification, and items for children or pets.
How to Find a Mass Care Shelter:
- Listen to Local Authorities: During an emergency, information on Shelter locations will be provided by El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office via social media and websites.
- Use Emergency Apps and Websites: Perimeter Map will include shelter sites established during the emergency.
Learn more by visiting: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/
Shelter in Place
Sheltering in place means staying indoors, usually at home, during an emergency. This is the best option when it’s unsafe to evacuate due to extreme weather, chemical spills, or other hazardous conditions.
When to Shelter in Place:
- Severe Weather Events: During events like extreme storms, or blizzards, staying inside your home is safer than being out in the elements.
- Hazardous Material Spills: In the event of a chemical spill, toxic gas release, or other airborne threats, authorities may recommend sheltering in place to avoid exposure.
- Power Outages: Sometimes, sheltering in place is necessary during long power outages or other utility failures, especially if evacuation is difficult or dangerous.
How to Shelter in Place:
- Get Inside Quickly: If you’re outdoors, get indoors as soon as possible. Close all windows, doors, and any vents.
- Stay Informed: Keep a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio or mobile phone with emergency alerts enabled to stay updated on the situation.
- Stay Away from Windows: In situations like tornadoes or severe storms, stay in a small, windowless interior room on the lowest level of your home.
- Have Emergency Supplies Ready: Your emergency supply kit should be easily accessible and include enough food, water, and medical supplies for at least 72 hours.
- Seal Your Space: If authorities warn of air contamination, seal windows and doors with plastic sheeting and duct tape to prevent toxic air from entering your home.
“Sealing a room” is considered a temporary protective measure to create a barrier between you and potentially contaminated air outside. This type of sheltering in place requires pre-planning, by purchasing plastic sheeting and duct tape that you would keep in your (Link back to emergency kit).
What to Do During Long-Term Sheltering in Place:
- Conserve Resources: Use your water, food, and other supplies wisely. Limit unnecessary use of electricity and conserve battery power on your devices.
- Monitor the Situation: Stay updated through local authorities. They will tell you when it’s safe to leave your shelter or if additional precautions are necessary.
- Stay Calm: Sheltering in place can be stressful, especially for long periods. Keep children engaged with activities and check in regularly with family members about how they’re feeling.
Why Sheltering Effectively is Important
- Protection from Hazards: Whether it’s a natural disaster or man-made emergency, proper sheltering can protect you from harm, including extreme weather, contamination, or structural dangers.
- Essential Services: Shelters, especially mass care facilities, provide essential services like food, water, and medical care that may not be available at home during a disaster.
- Safety in Numbers: In a mass shelter, trained personnel and emergency responders are present to assist you with any needs that arise, increasing your security and peace of mind.
- Avoiding Overwhelm on Resources: By sheltering effectively, you help reduce the burden on first responders, who may be stretched thin during major emergencies.
Preparing in Advance for Sheltering
- Identify Shelter Locations: Know in advance where local shelters are located and whether they accept pets or have accessible facilities.
- Prepare Your Home: Have emergency supplies on hand and know how to seal off your home in case of hazardous air conditions.
- Emergency Alerts: Sign up for emergency alerts from your local authorities so you know when to evacuate or shelter in place.
- Know Your Options: Whether you shelter at home or in a mass care facility, always have a backup plan in case the situation changes.
By understanding sheltering options and planning ahead, you can ensure your family is safe and protected during an emergency. Whether you evacuate to a mass care shelter or shelter in place, being prepared will make a big difference in how you and your family cope with the situation.
This webpage can be a valuable resource on your emergency preparedness site, providing individuals with the knowledge and steps they need to take to safely shelter during an emergency.