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| Emergency Evacuation Routes
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Wide-scale, mass evacuations in Philadelphia are rare. It is more likely that localized, small-scale evacuations may happen. If necessary, officials will take actions to alleviate the emergency and to prepare for an evacuation. In either case, if officials tell you to evacuate, it is imperative that you are prepared ahead of time so that you may leave immediately.
About the Evacuation Routes
Beginning in 2007, the Managing Director's Office of Emergency Management (MDO-OEM) began the planning process for evacuations in Philadelphia. Working in cooperation with 25 organizations and nearly 80 individual partners, MDO-OEM examined the city’s road network and analyzed demographic data to identify evacuation routes for:
Evacuation routes are grouped into Evacuation Zones. Evacuation Zones are organized around Philadelphia Police Department Districts. For example, if you live in Police Department District 4, you are also in Evacuation Zone 4.
Developing the Evacuation Routes
As part of the evacuation planning process, MDO-OEM examined the following criteria and their impact on evacuating communities:
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Total population and total households -
Dominant languages spoken -
Vulnerability factors, such as:
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Poverty level -
Age -
Disability -
Access to vehicles -
Home and bed bound -
Life support
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Healthcare facilities
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Hospitals -
Nursing homes -
Retirement homes -
Personal care homes -
Adult day care
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Schools -
Traffic data -
Critical infrastructure
Communities with Unique Needs
Special evacuation plans have been developed for communities with unique needs, such as: Center City where there are numerous high-rise buildings and South and Southwest Philadelphia where there are several sports and entertainment arenas, a major refinery, and the international airport. Additional plans are in development for other areas of the City.
Division Overviews - Click an area on the map below to view a divisional overview of the evacuation routes, or click here to download a complete map book of the evacuation routes citywide (8 MB).
Evacuation Zones - Click a zone on the map below to view the evacuation routes, or click here to download a complete map book of the evacuation routes citywide (8 MB).
Be Ready to Evacuate
Sign up for Ready Notify PA to receive emergency text and email alerts. Stay tuned to your radio and/or television for further instructions. The media will tell you what you need to know to prepare to evacuate.
To learn more about what to do during an evacuation, click here.
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