What to prioritize right now, what can wait, and how to protect your options during evacuation or crisis.
We're Evacuating!
start anywhere
If you’re reading this while evacuating, sheltering, or reacting to something that just happened, your focus is likely on safety and logistics — not long-term planning.
That’s exactly where your attention should be.
At the same time, a few early decisions made during moments like this can quietly shape recovery and insurance later. This page helps you understand what truly matters right now, what can wait, and how to avoid accidental missteps while you’re under pressure.
During evacuations or immediately after a disruptive event, homeowners are often dealing with:
Uncertainty about access to their home
Rapid decisions with incomplete information
Conflicting advice from many sources
Emotional stress and time pressure
In these moments, it’s normal to feel rushed to “do something.” But not everything that feels urgent actually is — and some actions are better paused until you have more clarity.
This page is about protecting your options, not solving everything today.
What’s Actually Going On.
The Situation
Top Priorities
Personal safety comes first. Follow evacuation orders and official guidance. Do not re-enter unsafe areas.
Stabilize communication. Make sure family members know where to regroup and how to stay in touch.
Preserve information if possible. If it’s safe to do so, photos or videos taken early can be valuable later.
Document what you can without risk. Notes, timestamps, and basic observations help — perfection is not required.
If You Have A Few Minutes
Grab essentials (medications, IDs, chargers) if it’s safe
Secure pets and important documents
Avoid discarding or cleaning anything prematurely
If you don’t have time for these, that’s okay. Safety always comes first.
What Matters Most
Right Now.
In the immediate aftermath, you typically do not need to:
Understand your insurance policy
Decide whether to rebuild
Choose contractors or vendors
Estimate the full cost of damage
Respond to every insurance request immediately
Those steps come later — when information is clearer and pressure is lower.
What Can Usually Wait.
Under stress, homeowners sometimes:
Clean up or remove damaged items too quickly
Accept advice from the first available vendor
Assume early insurance activity reflects final outcomes
Feel pressured to make long-term decisions immediately
These aren’t failures — they’re stress responses. Knowing what to pause can be just as important as knowing what to do.
Common Early Mistakes (and Why They Happen)
Explore Guides That Help in the First Hours
If you want more support during this stage, these guides are designed for immediate disruption:
Protecting Your Home
Emergency Kit Fast Pack
Where To Go Before You Go
When an emergency strikes and evacuation becomes necessary, knowing where to go is crucial for ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones. This article provides essential tips on identifying safe destinations and routes before you need to evacuate, helping you to be well-prepared for any emergency.
The first responders are knocking on your door and you’ve got 5 minutes to evacuate. This quick pack job should contain essential items that you can pack in less than five minutes, ensuring you are prepared to evacuate swiftly.
This article outlines those crucial contents.
Assuming you have time before evacuating your home in an emergency situation, this overview proposes proactive steps you can take to protect your home that can minimize damage and facilitate a smoother recovery. Additionally, it highlights the importance of documenting your home for insurance and recovery purposes.
IF YOU'RE BEING EVACUATED
Medicine
Temporary Housing
FEMA
When a disaster strikes and is officially declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), individuals and communities can access federal assistance to recover, rebuild, and restore their lives. Here’s an overview of what disaster victims can expect from FEMA, including processes for debris removal, rebuilding, support, loans, and donations.
In the aftermath of a disaster, securing temporary housing is a top priority for evacuees. Safe and stable housing allows families to begin the recovery process and regain a sense of normalcy.
This article explores various temporary housing options for evacuees, providing essential information to help you find the shelter you need during a crisis.
In the event of an emergency evacuation, ensuring access to necessary medications is crucial for the health and well-being of evacuees. Proper preparation and planning can help you maintain your medication regimen and address any medical needs during and after the evacuation. This article provides essential tips on managing medications for evacuees, including how to prepare, access, and maintain continuity of care.
YOU'RE SAFE - WHAT'S NEXT
Utility Checklist for Evacuation
EMERGENCY DOC
This checklist provides a step-by-step guide to safely shutting off water, gas, and electricity in an emergency situation.
Some homeowners navigate the early phase on their own with the right information. Others find that disruption, displacement, and early insurance activity become difficult to manage alongside everything else happening.
Loti helps homeowners understand what matters in the earliest stages of loss and, when appropriate, assists with insurance claims as recovery unfolds.
Whether or not you work with us, our goal is the same: helping you avoid early decisions that limit options later.
A Note About Help During This Stage
You Don’t Need a Plan Yet
Right now, it’s enough to focus on safety and stability. You can return to this page — or the Start Anywhere guide — when things change, when questions come up, or when you’re ready for the next step.
This process unfolds in stages. You’re allowed to take it one stage at a time.