Emergency Evacuation Terminology
During an emergency, clear and consistent information is critical. The State of California uses standardized evacuation terminology to help residents quickly understand the level of risk and the actions they should take.
Staying informed is the first step in being prepared. Monitor local news, weather conditions, and the City’s official communication channels for updates. Subscribing to emergency alerts can provide timely, location-specific information when it matters most.
Please reserve 9-1-1 for emergencies only. During major incidents, call volumes increase significantly, and keeping lines open ensures help is available for those in immediate danger.
When an emergency occurs, remaining calm and following your plan can make a meaningful difference. Being informed, prepared, and ready to act helps protect you, your family, and your community.
Below are the standardized evacuation terms used throughout California:
Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.
- Evacuation Orders may be initiated by law enforcement, fire departments, public health agencies, and in rare cases some federal agencies when residents are requested to vacate the area due to an imminent threat. All non-essential persons are requested to leave the area immediately.
- Conditions exist that SERIOUSLY IMPERIL or ENDANGER the lives of those in the defined area.
- The danger is IMMINENT!
- Generally, residents will not be forcibly removed from their own property, however those found to be on public property including roadways and public parks may be subject to removal from the area.
- Once out of the area, the general public (including residents) will not be permitted to return until it is deemed safe to do so.
- Any non-essential persons found by officials traveling through, or loitering in, the area will be escorted out and not permitted to re-enter the area. Those found to be interfering with the disaster response are SUBJECT TO ARREST.
- Emergency workers in marked agency vehicles shall be permitted beyond closures for official business only.
- Subsequent to §409.5(d) p.c., nothing shall prevent a duly authorized representative of any news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network from entering the area unless the area is determined to be a crime scene.
Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
- Evacuations Warnings may be initiated by law enforcement, fire departments, public health agencies, and in rare cases federal agencies. Access to the area under an Evacuation Warning may or may not be restricted by a soft or hard closure.
- The threat to lives is NOT YET IMMINENT.
- Due to the potential for rapidly changing conditions to develop into a serious threat, residents are advised to prepare for the issuance of an Evacuation Order.
- Residents should prepare personal belongings including pets and livestock for evacuation.
- Advance measures should be taken to prepare individuals with mobility issues or other types of access and functional needs for evacuation.
Shelter in Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.
- Conditions exist that may ENDANGER the lives of those in a defined area.
- Access to the area under a Shelter-in-Place Order may or may not be restricted by a soft or hard closure.
- Residents should refrain from going outside and take refuge in an interior room or rooms within their home or business with few or no windows.
- In the event of unsafe air quality, residents should use plastic sheeting and/or tape to seal exterior doors and windows.