WASHINGTON COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

I.	PURPOSE
	This annex provides for coordinated evacuation and re-entry of the population, when necessary, during emergencies.
II.	SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
	A.	Situation
		1.	A hazard analysis and vulnerability assessment has been completed which identifies the types of threats and the areas of the counties most vulnerable to specific threats. While hazardous materials incidents, military actions and other threats are recognized, an approaching hurricane is the most likely event to require a large-scale evacuation.
		2.	The Washington County Department of Social Services and the Health Department have been tasked to identify special needs populations which may have special evacuation requirements.
		3.	A comprehensive hurricane evacuation study was completed in 1987. This study included a traffic analysis defining evacuation routes and clearance times, potential areas that could flood, and a behavioral analysis. An updated study is underway at the present time.
		4.	Evacuation of the Outer Banks results in an extremely heavy flow of traffic into Washington County. Some of these evacuees transit through the county enroute to more distant destinations; others remain in Washington County to seek shelter.
		5.	The principal mode of transportation will be private vehicles.
		6.	There are numerous mobile homes located on individual sites or in mobile home parks in the County. Residents of mobile homes must be evacuated for any approaching hurricane.
		7.	Washington County does not issue re-entry permits. Situations requiring controlled access after an incident will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Incident Commander in coordination with the EOC.
	B.	Assumptions
		1.	Emergency situations may require evacuation of all or part of the County. Small‑scale, localized evacuations may be needed as a result of a hazardous materials incident, major fire or other incident. Large‑scale evacuation may be needed in the event of an impending hurricane.
		2.	In the case of an approaching hurricane, sufficient warning time will normally be available to evacuate the threatened population.
		3.	Traffic control resources will be in place prior to the public release of an evacuation order.
		4.	Evacuation and re-entry information will be made available to the public by all available means.
		5.	If there is a significant threat, some residents will evacuate prior to being advised to do so by public officials.
		6.	Most evacuees will seek shelter with relatives or friends rather than accept public shelter.
		7.	Some residents will refuse to evacuate regardless of warnings.
		8.	Some people will lack transportation. Others who are ill or disabled may require vehicles with special transportation capabilities.
		9.	Debris or damage to the roadway could hamper re-entry.
		10.	Evacuations due to an approaching hurricane should be completed during daylight hours and prior to the onset of gale force winds.
		11.	Evacuations of the Outer Banks due to an approaching hurricane will adversely affect evacuation ordered in Washington County due to competing demands for services (i.e., Highways, emergency services, traffic control, sheltering, etc.).
		12.	Effective traffic control points will facilitate orderly evacuation and re-entry into isolated or evacuated areas.
III.	CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
	A.	General
		1.	The responsibility for ordering a county-wide evacuation, or for an evacuation of a portion of the county, or for authorizing re-entry rests with the Chairman of the County Board of Commissioners or his designee. If an evacuation is limited to the City, the Mayor or his designee will issue the order.
		2.	Public information concerning the decisions on evacuation or re-entry orders will be released by the Public Information Officer using all available media.
		3.	Regional coordination of traffic control, shelter / mass care and public information will enhance the total evacuation and re-entry process. The State Division of Emergency Management will coordinate regional evacuation activities.
		4.	Law Enforcement will implement traffic control for evacuation and for re-entry.
	B.	Specific
		1.	Evacuation
			a.	Traffic control points to support evacuation have been pre-determined.
			b.	The area to be evacuated will be determined by conditions at the time of the emergency.
			c.	Access to designated evacuation areas will be denied to non-essential personnel once an evacuation order has been issued.
			d.	Vehicles experiencing mechanical problems and impeding the flow of traffic on evacuation routes during an evacuation will be moved off the roads by any means necessary as authorized by law enforcement officials.
			e.	Institutions within the County must develop procedures for evacuation of patients, residents or inmates. When the capabilities of an institution to meet resource requirements are exceeded, the institution will be assisted by the EOC with resource procurement.
			f.	Schools will develop evacuation procedures. Predesignated buses will be utilized for students without their own vehicles. Schools within the danger zone for hazardous materials spills will develop procedures for in-place sheltering and "walk‑away" evacuations. Parents will be advised of the location of reception centers.
			g.	Populations lacking transportation to a shelter facility will be assisted by the most appropriate means of transportation available, possibly including law enforcement vehicles, school buses, emergency vehicles, church buses and privately-owned vehicles.
			h.	Designated special needs shelters will be opened to accommodate that population; specialized means of transportation will be needed to accomplish movement of these people to shelter. Due to the limited number of specialized vehicles available for transport, evacuation of the special needs population will be initiated in advance of a general evacuation.
		2.	Re-entry
			a.	The decision to authorize re-entry to any evacuated / restricted area will be made by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners or the Mayor, or their designees as appropriate, based on considerations of public safety and security.
			b.	Evacuated emergency service equipment and personnel will re-enter prior to the re-entry of the general public.
			c.	The Control Group will establish the order for the re-entry of the public.
			d.	Sections of the County may remain isolated or closed to the public even after re-entry begins.