FEMA: Take steps now before you evacuate Irene

With Hurricane Irene aiming for the U.S. East Coast, the head of FEMA told those who live in its path to prepare in advance and get information now that is needed should evacuation orders be issued for their local areas.

"A lot of areas may be at risk, a lot of people that may have to make decisions" on clearing out, said Fugate. "You don't want to wait until the last minute. Be ready to go, and heed the advice of your local officials," Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said on CBS' "The Early Show." "You don't want to wait until it's too late.

East Coast braces for potentially historic Irene
Stay or go? Officials debate Hurricane Irene
National Hurricane Center's Storm Tracker

When asked where people will need to go once the evacuation order is given, and for how long, Fugate replied, "This is going to be case-by-case, community by community. This is why the first thing you need find out, if you haven't already, [is] do you live in an evacuation zone? And if you do, who will give the recommendation or order to evacuate? Where do you need to go? How far do you need to go?

"You need that information now, because when you evacuate you want to know where you're going and make sure you have somewhere to go - not just get on the road with everybody else and hope you can find some place. That's why it's important now to take those steps."

Having a full tank of gas in the car now is a good idea, too.

12 Photos

How to prepare for a natural disaster

View the Full Gallery »

"We're not going to be able to prevent all the damage, but we can minimize impacts or risk to loss of life," said Fugate, "and that's why people need to be prepared now."

When asked about social media as sources of emergency information, Fugate said, "The best place to get information about your local evacuations and protective measures is going to be your local radio and TV stations. They're going to be carrying press conferences from local officials - that's going to be your best source for where the information is coming from about what's going on in your community.

"Twitter and other things are good ways to share information, but local officials are talking through radio and television to tell you what you need to do," he said.

Irene approaching? Tweet instead of calling, says FEMA

[John-from-Mastic]

I am deeply saddened and disgusted at the nature in which the mass media has dealt with impending weather. Fear mongering and making mandatory evacuations, due to FEMA's ineffectivity in the Gulf region, are completely uncalled for. I have since left Long Island. The place of my birth and where I was raised, but if I were home, NO ONE would move me from my home. I sincerely hope that no form of martial law or militarized interest of FEMA will be demonstrated as a result of your attempts to scatter the sheep by scaring them out of rational thought. Not everyone is in the category of the ignorant mass that you find yourself to be superior to. Remove "big brother's" hand and stop being puppets of propaganda because it's easier, or you're pressured to do so. As members of the media, you are held to the same accountability as our Govt. The bottom line? YOU WORK FOR US. Cut it out. Very few people are buying it.

[fiberglass3]

Hey - What ever happened to Brownie?

[biscuitrusty]

Here in Texas we have what's called 211 assistance. People who are disabled, no car, no place to go sign up and they are evacuated out by individual couties. It worked really good when Ike came thru three years ago. I am pretty sure most states have some way to help those who want and need to get out but can't. As for New Orleans, I'm sure these people had the same resources as we do here. They just chose not to use them

[rwsmith29456]

If you are on low ground don't wait until the hurricane is imminent because the evacuation routes will be jammed. A solution is for the government to reverse lanes on the highways heading out of town. The last time we had a big hurricane threat our highway dept. DIDN'T reverse the lanes for some cockamamy reason that is too silly to go into here.

[barbaram99]

not every one has a car.
not every one has a place to go to
not everyone has someone to help them get out
What then..

[MisterSquash]

maybe if you whine a little more that will help

[LoriBW]

Call your local emergency preparedness office. There should be local shelters set up as well as transportation for elderly and disabled persons.