Evacuations

In coordination with state and county authorities, the South Orange Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has established a comprehensive emergency evacuation system to protect residents during severe weather and disaster events, including flooding and hurricanes.

🚗 Evacuation Route Information

Residents are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the official Essex County evacuation routes.. For those in South Orange, the designated evacuation route is South Orange Avenue heading west.

During an evacuation, you’ll see blue evacuation route signs posted on traffic light poles to help guide you in the right direction.

However, we recognize that conditions on the ground can vary, especially for residents on the east side of town. Flood-prone areas and limited railroad overpasses present real challenges during heavy storms or flash flooding.

That’s why, during an actual evacuation, when conditions and resources permit, emergency personnel may be stationed throughout the Village to provide real-time direction based on current road conditions, safety hazards, and accessibility. While South Orange Avenue remains the official route designated by state and federal agencies, how residents reach it will depend entirely on what’s safe at the time.

In certain situations, this may mean using alternative crossings such as:

Irvington Avenue
Valley Street
Scotland Road
Millburn Avenue

The goal is always to get residents safely out of the affected area and onto a major evacuation corridor leading to the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, or other key routes.

🌧️ Flood Safety & Preparedness

To stay safe during flood events:

Visit Ready.gov/floods for resources on:
- Making a flood emergency plan
- Understanding flood watches and warnings
- Safety tips before, during, and after a flood
Review your home’s location on FEMA flood maps
Ensure your emergency supply kit is up to date

📢 Stay Informed with South Orange Alerts

Stay informed and be alerted about emergencies and other important community news by signing up for South Orange alerts. This alert system enables South Orange Village to provide essential information quickly in a variety of situations. You will receive time-sensitive messages wherever you specify, such as your home, mobile, or business phone, e-mail, text messages, hearing impaired receiving devices, and more. You pick where, you pick how.

If an Evacuation Order is Issued:

If an evacuation is ordered, the South Orange Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will act swiftly to notify residents using a combination of digital alerts and in-person communication.

📢 Emergency Alerts

Once an evacuation order is issued, residents will be notified through South Orange’s official communication channels, including:

South Orange Alerts (text, email, phone calls)
Municipal website and social media

Additionally, all mobile phones within the designated evacuation zone will receive a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) — even if the user has not opted in for local alerts. These alerts are geo-targeted and issued by county authorities in coordination with local emergency management.

🚓 Route Alerting

When conditions and resources permit, South Orange Police, South Essex Fire Department and volunteer emergency responders will conduct route alerting in affected neighborhoods. This includes:

Loudspeaker announcements
Door-to-door notifications
In-person assistance for those who need help evacuating

FEMA Guidelines for Safe and Effective Evacuation:

Following Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommendations can help ensure the safety of you, your family, and your property during an evacuation. Here’s how to prepare:

🗺️ Plan Ahead
- Create a Family Evacuation Plan: All members of your household should know the plan, including the designated evacuation route and meeting points.
- Build a Disaster Supply Kit: Include essentials like food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, important documents, and clothing.
📣 Communicate Your Plans
- Inform Family and Friends: Let neighbors and local friends know your intentions and planned destination.
- Designate an Out-of-Area Contact: This person can serve as a communication point if phone lines or networks are down within the evacuation zone.
🚗 Prepare Your Vehicle
- Keep Your Gas Tank Full: As a storm approaches, maintain a full tank. During your evacuation, try to stay above half-full to prevent breakdowns, especially on congested roads.
- Inspect Your Vehicle:
- Check tire pressure and tread
- Ensure oil and fluid levels are adequate
- Confirm your vehicle can handle a long trip safely
🏠 Secure Your Property Before Leaving
- Unplug: Disconnect all small appliances, radios, televisions, and other electronic devices.
- Shut Off Utilities: If instructed, turn off the electricity at the main breaker panel to help prevent damage or fire.
🐾 Make Arrangements for Pets
- Shelter Limitations: Be aware that many public shelters do not accept pets. Have a plan in place for their care and relocation.
- Visit Ready.gov for guidance on preparing a pet emergency plan.

Understanding Voluntary vs. Mandatory Evacuations:

It’s important to know the difference between a voluntary and mandatory evacuation, so you can act quickly and appropriately in an emergency.

🟡 Voluntary Evacuation
- When officials issue a voluntary evacuation, it means evacuation is strongly recommended, especially for:
  - Residents living in non-elevated structures
  - The elderly
  - Individuals with special needs or medical concerns
  - While not required by law, leaving early can help you avoid dangerous conditions and limited access to emergency services.
🔴 Mandatory Evacuation
- A mandatory evacuation is issued when a serious threat to life and safety is present. By law, residents must leave the evacuation zone, regardless of whether their homes are elevated or fortified.
  - All residents, including those in elevated structures, must evacuate.