How is an evacuation order communicated to the facilities?

2007: There are no updates for this item at this time.2006: This was an issue during Rita. Most facilities got their information about a mandated evacuation from the media, and apparently the information that they conveyed was either incorrect or incomplete in many cases.There was also confusion among facilities when DADS and the Attorney General’s office began calling facilities and either asking them to leave or asking if they were leaving. DADS representatives last week told the HGAC that they were only calling for informational purposes, but some facility administrators say they took it as an order to leave.Recommendations: The task force should insist that the local official who receives the order to evacuate an area communicate directly with the facilities affected. The local emergency management center should have a person specifically tasked to oversee special needs people, which includes “fixed facilities” such as nursing homes. Nursing homes should not be left to hear about ...  more