Evacuate your home

In the event of an emergency or a disaster, evacuate your home if the situation constitutes a risk to you or your loved ones, or if asked to do so by the authorities. 

Make a plan of the measures required to ensure your safety and that of your family should you need to evacuate. 

Gather essential items that each of your family members will need in the event of an evacuation, and store them in a backpack or storage box that can be easily transported. Remember to include: 

• medication;
• personal hygiene products;
• clothing;
• sleeping bags or blankets;
• money;
• identification;  
• keys to your vehicle and home;
• baby milk/formula, feeding bottle and diapers;
• electronic devices and chargers;
• items required to ensure the well-being of persons with special needs;
• games, toys, colouring books and crayons, etc. for your children.

Identify all of the exits that can be used in the event of an emergency evacuation and ensure they remain accessible at all times.

Know how to turn off the water, power and gas, as the case may be. Write key instructions down and keep them in a visible place where they can be easily accessed.

Establish several areas where you can head to in the event of an evacuation (e.g., a relative’s home, a friend’s home, a hotel).

Draw up a list of the contact details of people/organizations to reach out to in an emergency (family members, daycare centre, school, municipal authorities, etc.).

Take steps to ensure the well-being of your animals in the event of evacuation (in French only).

Ask questions regarding the respective evacuation plans at your workplace and your children’s school.

Practice evacuating your home  with family members so that everyone can react quickly in case of an actual emergency or disaster.

Sign up to receive Citizen Alert messages and follow your municipality’s social media pages to get updated information on evacuation notices, safety instructions and available services.

Listen to local television and radio stations.

Follow Urgence Québec on social media:

• Facebook : facebook.com/urgencequebec;  
• Instagram : instagram.com/urgencequebec_gouv.

Identify an itinerary allowing you to quickly leave your neighbourhood if necessary; also establish an alternative route should certain roads be closed or impassable.

Remember to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. This kit should include the following:

• a flashlight;
• spare batteries;
• booster/jumper cables;
• windshield washer fluid;
• a first aid kit;
• illuminating devices to be visible to others.

During the winter season, you might want to add certain items to the kit, such as a warm blanket, gloves or mittens, a shovel, a snow brush, etc.

Make sure your vehicle is in a condition to get you to your planned destination (mechanically sound and with a topped-up gas tank).

If you do not have a vehicle, make plans to travel with someone you know (e.g., a relative or a person who lives in your neighbourhood).

If you have mobility issues or special needs, contact your municipality to obtain information on the special transportation services offered in the event of an evacuation.

If an evacuation notice is issued, leave your home as quickly as possible and follow the instructions provided by municipal authorities.

Round up all of your family members and meet at the location provided for in your evacuation plan.  Bring along your emergency kit.

Shut off the water, power and gas if asked to do so by authorities, making sure to follow the manufacturer or service provider’s instructions.

Before leaving, close the windows in your home and lock the doors.

Put your domestic pets in a safe place (in French only) or take them with you to the temporary accommodation centre if it is allowed.

Notify your loved ones and municipal authorities of where you are planning to seek refuge.

Time permitting, offer to help loved ones or neighbours with special needs.

Learn more about warnings or advisories in effect on the Québec 511 Web site or by calling 511. Contact your municipality for information on municipal road closures or other obstructions.

Comply with all posted signs and respect the safety perimeters set up by authorities.

Do not return to your home until the authorities have given their authorization.

If you evacuated your home because you believed you were in danger, you will be able to return once the situation is resolved.

Note that evacuated sectors are actively monitored by authorities on a regular basis to ensure the safety of the areas in question.

It is critical to stay calm when faced with an imminent threat such as a landslide, an explosion, an earthquake or a fire in your home.

Gather up everyone and leave your home, one at a time, via a safe exit point.

Do not waste time trying to retrieve personal items or valuables.

Lock the doors behind you.

Make sure everyone is accounted for, then head to a safe shelter or to the meeting point indicated in your family emergency plan.

Notify emergency services of your presence.

Make sure you know what to do in case of a house fire.

Should you find yourself in a public place that must be evacuated, comply with the instructions from on-site personnel and authorities to ensure the process can be carried out in a safe and orderly fashion.

Support services are offered to people who must evacuate their home in the event of an emergency.

Centre for evacuees

Municipalities usually set up a centre for evacuees following a disaster; these centres generally offer basic amenities and support to emergency or disaster victims. Make sure to register with the on-site personnel once you arrive at such a centre.

Temporary housing centre/shelter for evacuees

If you have no place to stay after evacuating your home, contact your municipality for information on temporary housing.

Do not return to your home without first receiving the go-ahead from authorities. In some cases, authorities may opt to have people progressively return to evacuated sectors.

Reach out to your municipality for instructions and details of the measures introduced to allow for a safe return.

Upon returning home

Check the overall condition of your home and note the damages that occurred while you were absent.

Prepare an inventory of all damages, including photos or videos. Your municipality, insurance company or the financial institution where you have your mortgage may ask you for this list.

Obtain information on what steps to take to ensure that your home is safe and in good condition following an emergency or disaster.

Check whether you are eligible for financial assistance from the government.

Monitor your reaction and that of your loved ones, as experiencing a disaster can trigger unusual physical reactions, emotions and behaviours. Psychosocial support is available to you. This service is free of charge and confidential.

Help your children feel safe by taking simple, comforting actions.

To obtain additional information on post-disaster reactions and the assistance available, please consult the Getting better following a disaster page.