Returning Home After an Emergency Evacuation

Returning home after a disaster can be both a relief and a challenge. Even when authorities have lifted an evacuation order, hazards may still be present, and damage may not always be immediately visible. Taking a careful, methodical approach when re-entering your home can help protect your household from injury, prevent further damage, and support a safer recovery. While every emergency presents unique risks, there are several important steps that apply regardless of the hazard.

All-Hazard Guidelines

• Do not return home until local authorities have officially declared it safe to do so.
• Be prepared to show identification if access to evacuated areas is controlled.
• Watch for damaged roads, bridges, fallen trees, downed power lines, and other hazards while travelling home.
• If you suspect your home has structural damage, do not enter until it has been assessed by a qualified professional.
• Before entering, inspect the exterior of your home for signs of shifting foundations, leaning walls, damaged roofs, or broken utility connections.
• If you smell natural gas or hear a hissing sound, leave immediately and contact your utility provider or emergency services from a safe location.
• Never touch downed power lines or anything they may be in contact with.
• Wear sturdy boots, gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and eye protection while inspecting or cleaning your property.
• Open doors and windows to ventilate your home if it has been closed for an extended period, unless heavy smoke or hazardous air quality remains.
• Photograph all damage before beginning cleanup or making temporary repairs for insurance purposes.
• Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to begin the claims process.
• If your power was interrupted, check refrigerated and frozen food before consuming it. Discard food that has spoiled.
• Restock emergency supplies, medications, food, water, batteries, and fuel that were used during the evacuation.
• Monitor local emergency information for ongoing hazards, utility restoration updates, boil water advisories, or additional evacuation alerts.

Hazard-Specific Guidelines

Each emergency creates different recovery challenges. Follow any instructions provided by local authorities, utility companies, insurers, or restoration professionals before beginning cleanup.

Flooding

• Ensure electricity has been disconnected before entering any flooded portion of your home.
• Never use electrical appliances that have been submerged until they have been inspected.
• Wear waterproof boots, gloves, eye protection, and an N95 respirator when cleaning flood-damaged areas.
• Remove standing water as soon as it is safe to reduce mould growth.
• Remove wet drywall, insulation, carpeting, upholstered furniture, and other porous materials that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried.
• Wash all hard surfaces with detergent and disinfectant.
• Follow any boil water advisories before drinking water or preparing food.
• Have your well water tested if your property uses a private well.
• Watch for foundation movement, cracked walls, buckled floors, and damaged septic systems.

Wildfires

• Watch for smouldering debris, ash pits, unstable trees, and damaged utility infrastructure around your property.
• Inspect your roof, gutters, decks, and landscaping for lingering embers.
• Continue monitoring local air quality before spending extended periods outdoors.
• Wear an N95 respirator when cleaning ash or soot.
• Lightly mist ash before sweeping to prevent it from becoming airborne. Avoid using leaf blowers or dry sweeping methods.
• Replace HVAC, furnace, and portable air filters if they became clogged with smoke.
• Arrange for a professional inspection if your home experienced significant smoke exposure or fire damage.

Landslides

• Remain alert for additional slope movement, particularly during or after rainfall.
• Stay away from steep slopes, creek banks, and unstable hillsides.
• Watch for new cracks in foundations, retaining walls, driveways, or the ground surrounding your property.
• Do not enter buildings that appear to have shifted or settled.
• Report damaged roads, infrastructure, or unstable slopes to local authorities.
• Have retaining walls, foundations, and other structural components inspected if movement is suspected.

Earthquakes

These guidelines apply if your home sustained significant damage and you were unable to shelter in place.

• Be prepared for aftershocks, which can occur hours, days, or even weeks after the initial earthquake.
• Check your home for structural damage before occupying it.
• Inspect gas, electrical, and water systems for leaks or damage.
• Clean up broken glass and spilled hazardous materials carefully.
• Resecure any furniture or appliances that shifted during the earthquake.

Hurricanes and Extreme Winds

• If your home has sustained flooding, follow the guidelines in the flooding section above.
• Inspect your home for structural damage caused by high winds or fallen trees.
• Check attics and roofs for leaks.
• Check fences, sheds, and detached structures for structural stability.
• Report damaged electrical equipment or downed power lines immediately.
• Remove debris carefully while watching for exposed nails, broken glass, and sharp metal.
• Avoid entering heavily damaged buildings until they have been assessed by a professional.

Hazardous Material Incidents

• Only return once authorities confirm the area is safe.
• Follow all instructions regarding ventilation or cleaning provided by emergency officials.
• Dispose of contaminated food, water, or household items if advised.
• If chemical contamination occurred inside your home, arrange for professional cleaning before reoccupying affected areas.

Beginning the Recovery Process

Recovery often continues long after the immediate emergency has ended. Keep records of all expenses, repairs, photographs, and communications with insurance providers and government assistance programs. Prioritize repairs that make your home safe and weatherproof before beginning cosmetic work. If cleanup involves extensive structural damage, mould, asbestos, hazardous materials, or electrical systems, hire qualified professionals whenever possible.

Returning home safely is an important step in recovering from an emergency. By carefully inspecting your property, following official guidance, documenting damage, and addressing hazards methodically, you can reduce the risk of injury, protect your property from further damage, and help your household recover more safely and confidently after disasters of all types.