When there is an emergency or major disaster, the BC Wildfire Service or local officials may issue one of the following:
Evacuation alert
Evacuation order
Shelter-in-place order
This will depend on the type, location, and potential impacts of the disaster.
Emergency notices
When there is an evacuation alert, order, or rescind, or shelter-in-place order, the Village of Lytton will share this information on this website (www.lytton.ca) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Lytton.ca).
If you have registered for Voyant Alert!, the Village's emergency notification service, you will receive a phone, text message, or email alert including shelter-in-place instructions.
3 stages of evacuation
There are three stages of evacuation:
Evacuation alert
Evacuation order
Evacuation rescind
Shelter-in-place order
Occasionally an evacuation may cause more danger to residents than staying in place. Officials may issue a shelter-in-place order if it is safer to stay inside than to go outside. Examples are when there is a hazardous substance released, a sudden storm, or an earthquake.
Understanding evacuation language
An evacuation alert is not the same as an evacuation order. It is important to understand evacuation language, so you know what to do in an emergency.
Be ready to leave your home on short notice. Organize your belongings, pack clothing, toiletries and medications for several days, as well as a copy of your emergency plan, important documents like house insurance and personal valuables/mementoes.
You are at risk. Leave the area immediately. Follow the directions from official sources and evacuate using the route or routes identified.
Do not return home until you have been advised that the Evacuation Order has been rescinded.
It is currently safe, and you can return home. Stay tuned for other possible alerts and orders, if the situation changes.
What to do during an evacuation alert, order, or rescind
Find out what to do when an evacuation alert, order, or rescind is issued for your area.
During an emergency, remember to:
Stay calm
Listen to local officials,
Follow credible news and social media sites regularly for critical information, updates, and instructions
If an evacuation alert is issued in your area:
Prepare to leave your home on short notice.
Listen regularly for instructions from your local officials and credible news and social media sites, as well as EmergencyInfoBC for updates: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca
Have your emergency kit and important documents ready to go, including:
Important documents, such as your emergency plan, insurance policies, personal papers, identification, birth certificates etc.
Clothing for several days
Medicine and a list of prescriptions
Toiletries and personal items including glasses or contact lenses
Comfort items for children like a favourite toy or colouring books to help keep them busy
Pet care supplies including leashes, carriers, food, etc.
Mobile phones, chargers, and battery banks
Precious photos, sentimental valuables and mementoes that cannot be replaced
Ready-to-eat food and water
Purse, wallet, and cash
Keys
Remember: Check on any family, friends or neighbours who may need a helping hand due to mobility or other issues.
In the event of an evacuation order, you must leave the area immediately.
An order is given with good reason. Failing to leave when asked by officials puts you and others at risk.
When an evacuation order is issued:
Leave immediately and do not return home until the Evacuation Order has been rescinded.
Follow the directions from credible sources and evacuate using the routes identified by emergency officials. Avoid shortcuts - they could lead to blocked or dangerous areas.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes to help protect yourself from unforeseen hazards.
Gather family members or go to your designated meeting area identified in your family plan.
Pets - take them with you; do not leave them behind. Take pets in a carrier or on a leash and remember their food and other care items. Pets may not be permitted in public shelters so if you have an animal, you are encouraged to go to a relative/friend's home, or find a pet-friendly hotel.
Register with Emergency Support Services (ESS) to let your friends and family know you are safe. Evacuees can register online at: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/ or at a designated reception centre.
If you need help with clothing, food or accommodation, follow the directions to the identified reception centre.
Take critical items, already packed in your emergency kit, including your medicine, purse/wallet, and keys.
Close all doors and windows.
Close and latch gates, but do not lock them.
Take a cell phone, charger and battery bank if you have one.
If there is time and it is safe to do so, shut off water at the main line into your home and switch off electricity at the breaker panel. Leave natural gas service on.
Stay away from any downed power lines.
Contact your out-of-area emergency contact (identified in your personal emergency plan) to let them know what has happened, that you are safe, and how to contact you. Alert them to any separated family members.
Local authority officials will advise when it is safe for you to return home.
When an Evacuation Order has been lifted (rescinded), it is safe to return home.
Stay connected to credible sources of information.
How to shelter-in-place
Find instructions for how to shelter in place.
When there is a shelter-in-place order, information will be shared on the Village of Lytton's website (www.lytton.ca) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Lytton.ca). If you have registered for Voyant Alert!, the Village's emergency notification service, you will receive a phone, text message, or email alert including shelter-in-place instructions.
A decision to shelter-in-place is made to save lives. Do not ignore it!
When there is a shelter-in-place order:
Go indoors immediately and bring pets indoors with you
Close all doors and windows and shut off heating or cooling systems in the house
Seal off any place that could let outside air in, like fireplaces, doors, windows, and vents
Place wet towels at the base of doors
Listen for any updates and remain sheltered until you hear from emergency officials that the hazard has been cleared
