Cook County

Cautionary/Voluntary Evacuation Information (Draft 9.5.08)

DRAFT

The following information is for Cook County residents and visitors and is provided by the Cook County Sheriff and Emergency Manager.

A Cautionary Evacuation is ordered in response to a known potential or projected threat. Cautionary Evacuations provide the means to evacuate an area in a safe and orderly manner.  If you choose to evacuate your property/camping area PRIOR to an official mandatory evacuation order (if/should one be necessary) please follow these steps:

1. Call this number (218) 387-3637 (connected for each incident) and follow the automated instructions.

• You will be asked to give your name and names of others going with you, where you are coming from and where you are going.

• This information will be recorded by Cook County Public Health and Human Services Staff to help track evacuees and answer calls from others interested in your safety and whereabouts.

2. If you are a property owner around the fire zone the Sheriff INSTRUCTS you to:

• Remain calm.
• Leave the power and outside lights on; turn off propane to the house or cabin at the tank.
• Attach a written note to the door with date, time, and who evacuated and where you are heading.
• You may lock your cabin.
• Take your pets with you.
• Take your medications with you.
• Tie a white cloth/towel/sheet on your blue street address sign to signify that you are gone. (When there is more than one sign on a post, tie the cloth around your sign number.)
• Drive carefully with your headlights on!

3. Bring at least the following items in your Evacuation Kit

• Prescription medications in ORIGINAL BOTTLES
• Eyeglasses, contacts and solution/equipment
• Special equipment/medical supplies for infants, elderly or people with special needs, (such as oxygen, nebulizers, wheelchair, cane, diapers, formula, etc)
• Important documents, (living wills, birth certificates, social security cards, other forms of identification, etc)
• Phone numbers of out of area contacts
• Personal care items/change of clothing
• Pillow/blanket/towel
• Pets: supplies/records/medications

A Mandatory Evacuation is ordered under an imminent threat from a rapidly developing event.  Residents and visitors will be ordered to leave the affected area and the area will be closed for entry to non-response personnel, including visitors and residents. If you wait for an official mandatory evacuation order, you may not have time to do the activities listed above.