Evacuations & Sheltering-in-Place
Did you know?
St. Albert has set up evacuation zones. St. Albert’s 30 neighbourhoods have been divided into smaller pre-planned evacuation zones. This will assist our first responders and residents with clearly defined and identified evacuation zones in an emergency. This map can also be used if residents are required to shelter-in-place.
If an area of St. Albert needs to be evacuated or residents need to shelter-in-place, you will be informed as early as possible through an Alberta Emergency Alert, the City of St. Albert website and the City’s Facebook channel. Information will be provided on exactly what to do. Sign up or follow these channels today to help keep you informed.
Know Your Zone
During an emergency, residents may be required to evacuate or shelter-in-place to ensure their safety. It will be important for you to know which zone you live in, which zone your children attend school in, and which zone you work in.
To find your zone:
- Visit the Evacuation/Shelter-In-Place Map
- Type in your address to find your zone, or zoom into your neighbourhood and find your residence.
During an evacuation (evacuation order), the possible threat of an evacuation (evacuation alert), or shelter-in-place instruction - the map will be colour-coded:
- Red – Evacuation Order - the zone must evacuate immediately in the direction provided by local authorities.
- Orange – Evacuation Alert - the zone must prepare for evacuation.
- Yellow – Shelter-in-Place – you must remain inside your home or workplace and protect yourself there.
- Green – The zone is safe. No need to evacuate or shelter-in-place.
Definitions to Know
Evacuation Alert – you must prepare for an evacuation. Use this time to get your vehicle ready to leave, pack, get fuel, cash, medications etc. Local authorities will provide you with information on what time you will need to be ready to evacuate. Example: Be prepared to evacuate by 4 p.m. today.
Evacuation Order – you must evacuate immediately. You may receive little or no time following an Evacuation Alert. Public safety will determine how fast people need to evacuate.
Shelter-In-Place – you must remain inside your home or workplace and protect yourself there. Instructions will be provided on specific things to do depending on the emergency. Example: shelter-in-place if there is a tornado vs shelter-in-place if hazardous goods are released.
How to Prepare
If you had to evacuate your home in 10 minutes:
- Do you know what you need?
- Where to find it in your home?
Make an Emergency Plan with your family. Once completed, photocopy or take a picture of the plan and keep a copy in your emergency kit. Everyone should have access to this important information in case you get separated.
Items to think about:
- Where will you go if you get evacuated from your home? Plan to visit family or friends who live outside of St. Albert.
- What phone number will we call to reunite? An out-of-province number for a relative is best.
Do you have an Evacuation Grab & Go bag?
- If yes, has it been updated?
- If no, make you very own kit by using this Evacuation Grab & Go checklist
What do I do to shelter-in-place?
- Depending on the situation, there are different reasons to shelter-in-place. For example, sheltering-in-place for a tornado is different than sheltering-in-place for a hazardous goods release. While instructions will come during an emergency, it is good to be prepared.
To learn how to prepare for severe weather, hazardous air quality and what to do before an emergency hits, visit the Government of Alberta's:
If an Emergency Occurs
- LIKE the City of St. Albert Facebook account and follow instructions that are posted.
- VISIT the City website
- DOWNLOAD the Alberta Emergency Alert app
- LISTEN to the radio or TV
- SHUT OFF utilities if instructed to do so
- TAKE your emergency kit, including medications
- ENSURE your pets are cared for
- LOCK up your home
- REGISTER at the reception centre
Related Pages
Last edited: March 14, 2025