Emergency evacuation

[[File:Rita evacuees from Houston Texas September 21 2005.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Evacuees on [[Interstate 45]] leaving [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]], through [[Houston]], during [[Hurricane Rita]] in 2005. Note how no south-bound lanes (''right'') were used as north [[contraflow lane reversal|contra-flow lane]]s for vehicles turning west.]]

[[File:Rita evacuees from Houston Texas September 21 2005.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Evacuees on [[Interstate 45]] leaving [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]], through [[Houston]], during [[Hurricane Rita]] in 2005. Note how no south-bound lanes (''right'') were used as north [[contraflow lane reversal|contra-flow lane]]s for vehicles turning west.]]

'''Emergency evacuation''' is an immediate egress or escape of people away from an area that contains an imminent threat, an ongoing threat or a [[hazard]] to lives or property.

An '''emergency evacuation''' is an immediate egress or escape of people away from an area that contains an imminent threat, an ongoing threat or a [[hazard]] to lives or property.

Examples range from the small-scale evacuation of a building due to a [[storm]] or fire to the large-scale evacuation of a city because of a flood, bombardment or approaching [[weather system]], especially a [[tropical cyclone]]. In situations involving hazardous materials or possible [[contamination]], evacuees may be [[decontamination|decontaminated]] prior to being transported out of the contaminated area. Evacuation planning is an important aspect to mitigate the impact of disasters on humans. Today there many [[Evacuation model|evacuation models]] to simulate this process for small-scale and large-scale situations.

Examples range from the small-scale evacuation of a building due to a [[storm]] or fire to the large-scale evacuation of a city because of a flood, bombardment or approaching [[weather system]], especially a [[tropical cyclone]]. In situations involving hazardous materials or possible [[contamination]], evacuees may be [[decontamination|decontaminated]] prior to being transported out of the contaminated area. Evacuation planning is an important aspect to mitigate the impact of disasters on humans. Today there many [[Evacuation model|evacuation models]] to simulate this process for small-scale and large-scale situations.