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10/15/20245 min read

How to Evacuate Your Family from a City During SHTF

When a SHTF (Sh*t Hits The Fan) scenario occurs, whether it’s due to natural disasters, civil unrest, an economic collapse, or widespread conflict, getting out of the city quickly and safely with your family can be the difference between survival and peril. Cities can become dangerous in such scenarios due to high population density, limited resources, and potential violence. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you plan and execute a swift and effective evacuation.

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1. Have a Plan in Place

Preparedness starts long before a crisis occurs. Develop a detailed evacuation plan that every member of your family understands and can follow. This plan should include:

Primary and secondary routes: Identify two or more routes out of the city, avoiding main highways that could be jammed or blocked. Know backroads, service roads, and less-known routes.
Destination options: Have multiple bug-out locations pre-determined, whether it's a family member’s home in a rural area, a cabin, or a campground far from the city. These should be at least 100-150 miles from urban areas.
Meeting points: If your family is separated when disaster strikes, designate several meeting points both inside and outside the city where everyone can rendezvous before evacuation.
Communication protocols: If cell towers are down, use two-way radios, ham radios, or satellite phones to stay in touch.

2. Pre-pack Bug-Out Bags (BOBs)

Each family member should have their own bug-out bag ready to go. This ensures you can evacuate without needing to pack in the moment of panic. Key items to include in each bag are:

Water and filtration systems: At least 72 hours' worth of water and portable filtration tools (like LifeStraw or Sawyer mini filters).
Food: Non-perishable items such as energy bars, freeze-dried meals, and canned goods.
First aid kit: Comprehensive medical supplies for treating injuries during evacuation.
Clothing and shelter: Seasonal clothing, emergency blankets, and a tarp or lightweight tent.
Tools: Multi-tool, flashlight, fire starter, extra batteries, and a sturdy knife.
Self-defense items: Depending on local laws and personal preferences, carry pepper spray, tasers, or firearms for protection.
Important documents: Copies of IDs, medical records, emergency contacts, and any legal documents that may be needed.

3. Prepare Your Vehicle

Your vehicle will be your primary mode of evacuation. It must be in optimal condition and ready to go at a moment’s notice:

Fuel: Always keep your gas tank at least half full. Store extra gas in approved containers, rotated regularly to prevent spoilage.
Vehicle maintenance: Ensure your vehicle is regularly serviced and stocked with spare tires, jumper cables, and essential repair tools.
Bug-out vehicle kit: Equip your car with additional supplies such as blankets, a shovel, a car jack, flares, and an emergency roadside kit.
Map and navigation tools: Carry physical maps since GPS might fail during widespread outages. Have a compass and knowledge of how to use it.

4. Monitor the Situation

In the early stages of a SHTF event, it’s crucial to monitor how the crisis is unfolding. Stay tuned to multiple news sources, such as:

Local radio broadcasts: These might provide evacuation orders or updates.
Emergency services: Government alerts like FEMA, NOAA, or other organizations may issue evacuation warnings.
Social media and community groups: Sometimes, local insights from these channels can help you gauge the severity of a situation.

If you're sensing the need to evacuate, don’t delay. Traffic can quickly become gridlocked, and roads may close as a crisis escalates.

5. Move Quickly and Quietly

When the decision to evacuate has been made, move quickly, but do so quietly. Avoid drawing unnecessary attention, especially if civil unrest is brewing or looting is happening nearby. Use your less-known routes to get out of the city.

Avoid main highways: These are likely to become choked with vehicles. Use back roads or alternate paths that are less traveled.
Drive defensively: Be prepared to encounter desperate people or roadblocks. Stay vigilant, and if possible, avoid areas where large crowds may gather.
Low profile: Keep your vehicle looking ordinary. In high-risk situations, a rugged vehicle covered with supplies could attract unwanted attention from others seeking resources.

6. Stay Calm and Control Panic

Panic leads to poor decision-making. It’s vital that everyone in the family remains calm. To help ensure this:

Discuss your plan beforehand: Make sure each family member knows their role, whether that’s carrying a certain bag, helping with younger kids, or scouting the best routes on a map.
Rehearse the plan: Periodically, rehearse your evacuation plan. Practice loading the car, driving the route, and coordinating meeting points. This will help reduce the chaos in a real situation.

7. Avoid Dangerous Areas

In an SHTF scenario, certain parts of the city or countryside can pose increased risks. These include:

Government checkpoints: While they may appear safe, they could be bottlenecks where others are also trying to flee or could even impose detainment or searches.
Looting hotspots: Areas near grocery stores, gas stations, and gun shops may attract looters.
High-crime neighborhoods: Desperate people may resort to violence, so avoid these areas at all costs.

8. Have a Contingency Plan

Even the best-laid plans can go awry. If your primary route is blocked or compromised, shift to your backup route or plan. Prepare for the possibility of needing to go on foot, which makes the items in your bug-out bag even more critical.

9. Security During and After Evacuation

Maintaining security is key, both on the road and at your destination.

Avoid advertising your departure: Keep your evacuation low-profile. Don’t mention your plans to anyone unless you absolutely trust them.
Travel in groups: If possible, coordinate with friends or other families. There’s strength in numbers, and having more people can deter threats.
Defensive tools: Keep defensive items accessible in your vehicle in case of ambush or threats on the road.

Once you reach your destination, establish a perimeter around your shelter to ensure your family remains safe. Continue to monitor news and stay informed about the crisis to assess whether or not it is safe to return home.

Final Thoughts

Evacuating your family from a city during an SHTF event requires meticulous preparation and calm execution. The key is to plan in advance, stay informed during the crisis, and remain adaptable as the situation unfolds. Remember, survival in such a scenario is not just about speed, but also about strategy and keeping your family safe from both immediate and long-term threats.