Emergency Evacuation Plan

It is recommended a printed copy of the Emergency Evacuation Plan be kept with your telephone directory or other handy place for quick reference. 

1.  DIRECTIONS TO RESIDENTS FOR EVACUATION:

In anticipation that an emergency evacuation of part or all of Deerlake Village Community might become necessary, residents are urged to prepare an “Emergency Evacuation Kit”  and keep it where it will be readily accessible. It is suggested that the Emergency Evacuation Kit be kept in one or more containers, or of a size that can be easily handled.

If an emergency evacuation is declared and residents decide to drive from their home, the Emergency Evacuation Kit should be immediately loaded into the vehicle. As you leave Deerlake Village, please do so at a safe speed and drive ONLY in the right hand lane, which will enable emergency vehicles to enter Deerlake Village.

In the event of an emergency evacuation, due to a potential or imminent dam failure or extreme rainfall impacting our community, head towards a higher elevation, either on foot or by transportation. If possible, residents are encouraged to make their way to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which has agreed to be designated as an appropriate emergency congregating point. Alternatively, if residents decide to go to a different location, they are requested to telephone Sacred Heart Catholic Church (884-2535 – Church & Fellowship Hall) to facilitate an accounting of all Deerlake Village residents.

In the event of an emergency evacuation due to a forest fire or other hazard, it shall be the responsibility of individual residents to proceed away from the site of the fire, or from the defined hazard, and/or follow evacuation instructions of Transylvania County Office of Emergency Management officials. Again, residents should attempt to congregate at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, to facilitate an account of all Deerlake Village Residents.

2. NOTIFICATION:

The Transylvania County Office of Emergency Management shall initiate a full or partial evacuation of Deerlake Village when circumstances dictate such need.

The Deerlake Village Community Association (DVCA) should consult with the Transylvania County Office of Emergency Management if DVCA desires an evacuation. Such evacuation would then be done under coordination with the Office of Emergency Management.

Notification may comprise the following: (1) Local patrols with bullhorn, radio station announcements, telephone advisory, etc. (2) Estimated probable duration of the evacuation stay, if known; (3) Suggested shelter destination for evacuees; (4) Recommended transportation means and routes for evacuation; (5) Whom to call for special help for persons who are sick or not mobile.

3. AUTHORITY:

The Transylvania County Office of Emergency Management is vested with legal authority to recommend evacuation of a threatened area when, in its judgment, unusual risks to human life could prevail if an evacuation of residents was not carried out.

While no authority exists in North Carolina for local authorities to mandate evacuation, persons who refuse to evacuate do so at their own risk.  They may also subsequently cause risk to emergency personnel if they need assistance or protection, or emergency personnel may not be available if they have been committed to other tasks.  The cooperation of all residents in a time of emergency is therefore most urgently requested.

While this plan describes a development wide evacuation of Deerlake Village, it can also be followed for partial evacuation of Deerlake Village, when a full-scale Evacuation is not needed (see Item 1).
This plan for evacuation of Deerlake Village is subject to the above named authorities, and is meant to provide guidelines for residents to minimize risk to human life, in the event that the need for an evacuation is declared.  Examples of reasons for evacuation are as follows: (1) major wildfire threat; (2) contaminated water supply; (3) overturned LPG truck; (4) LPG storage tank fire; (5) threat of dam failure; (6) area-wide civil defense, terrorist or nuclear threat.  Undoubtedly, other reasons for evacuation also exist.

If resources permit, the Office of Emergency Management will dispatch personnel from their facility and/or fire resources to contact any residents thought to be remaining within Deerlake Village.

The Transylvania County Office of Emergency Management, and the Deerlake Village Community Association will exercise due diligence to notify and assist evacuees, but are not legally responsible for failure of notifications or transportation of individual evacuees.

Approved by the Deerlake Village Community Association Board of Directors.
June 7, 2005

EMERGENCY EVACUATION KIT IDEAS

An emergency can occur very quickly and without warning. What would you do if you had to evacuate your home? What if your home lost electricity, water, telephone and gas services? By preparing for the unexpected, your family can better cope with an emergency.

Having a family emergency plan in place and practicing the plan can save time and help to minimize a stressful/scary situation. It is important that an emergency supply kit is maintained as this will save time if your family has to evacuate.  An emergency supply kit may be plastic containers with lids, backpacks, or duffel bags. Depending on your family needs, the following items are suggested:

•    Water**
•    Food** – canned fruit, meat, vegetables, juice, beverages and soup. Peanut butter, crackers, trail mix, granola bars. Comfort foods – cookies, lollipops, tea bags, instant coffee.
•    First Aid kit
•    Aspirin or non-aspirin
•    Moistened towelettes/Wet Wipes
•    Paper products – cups, plates, plastic utensils, TP
•    Battery operated radio
•    Flashlight
•    Extra batteries (for both the radio and the flashlight)
•    Towels/washcloths
•    Soap
•    Toothbrushes/toothpaste
•    Clothing – extra clothing
•    Blankets/sleeping bags
•    Special items – such as eye glasses, eye contacts, etc.
•    Travel Clock
•    Games – cards, travel games, books, writing paper and pens
•    Prescription medications (very important!)
•    Family documents (photo copies)

# Note that the ** items should be based upon a 3-day supply
# Water supply should be changed every six months
# Food supply should be rotated every six months

Above information is based upon material supplied by a branch of the American Red Cross