While many people do not want to leave their homes in an emergency, it is very important to realize that sometimes it is absolutely necessary. Watches may not involve mandatory evacuations, but warnings often involve them. People with disabilities, or others who require more time to prepare to leave must take action earlier than others.
Knowing what types of disasters are common where you are is critical for planning for the disruptions they cause. Disasters may cause major disruptions in transportation, power, cell service, internet access, drinking water, or availability of medical services and medications.
A disaster is anything that disrupts your life, such as, earthquakes, wildfires, home fires, winter storms, hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, tsunamis, extreme heat, landslides, volcanoes, and toxic chemical releases. Some of these have warnings and some do not. Climate change is causing more widespread disasters.
Some people say they will never leave their home. However, staying at home may put your life at risk. You might think you can change your mind later, but once the disaster evolves, emergency personnel may not be able to come rescue you. Also, some jurisdictions strictly enforce mandatory evacuations, and will use law enforcement to forcibly remove people from their homes. Or police may ask people who stay at home to write their name and social security number on their torso for identification.