What Are Evacuation Zones

San Luis Obispo County Evacuation Zones assist first responders and the public in quickly determining evacuation areas. These zones will be used to communicate Evacuation Warning and Evacuation Order areas. These zones are intended for emergencies that require large-scale evacuations.  

How to Find Your Evacuation Zone

  1. Use the map below, and type your address in the upper left hand side of the map.  Click Enter.  
  2. The first result will show your Protective Action Zone (PAZ) if you live in the Diablo Cayon Emergency Planning Zone (this will be a PAZ 1 - 12). These are only used for emergencies at Diablo Canyon.  
  3. The second result will also show your Evacuation Zone for all other emergencies.  This is a 6 digit number: For example SLC-001
  4. The  map will also show your Evacuation Zone.  To zoom in, use the +/- sign on the top right.
  5. Other questions? See the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.
  6. If you need assistance finding your evacuation zone, please contact (805) 781-5678.

How to Find Your Zone - YouTube video

Know Your Evacuation Zone

To save time during an emergency, it is important for residents to know your evacuation zone in advance. Enter your address into the map tool below. The tool will tell you your zone name. It is important to write down the zone name and post it in a location easily accessible in an emergency.

Each zone has a description of the zone with the name, borders, current status, and additional information.  Additional information may also be provided. 

If an Evacuation Order or Warning is ordered, emergency officials will utilize alert and notification methods such as Wireless Emergency Alerts and Reverse 911 to notify residents which zones are affected. Knowing your evacuation zone will allow you to respond more quickly. 

Evacuation Zones vs. Protective Action Zones

These new evacuation zones are different than the Protective Action Zones (PAZ) established for emergencies at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.  The 12 Protective Action Zones are much larger in size and are specifically designed for an emergency at Diablo Canyon when evacuation or shelter in place may be directed. The PAZs are still in place and would be used during a nuclear power plant emergency.  These new evacuation zones would be used during other emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why doesn't my zone show the best way to evacuate during an emergency? 

Evacuation routes are always incident-specific because the best route to take is always relative to the location and type of threat. When an emergency evacuation takes place, law enforcement will direct traffic. 

If emergency officials activate a zone for an Evacuation Order or Warning, anyone using Waze who's getting directions in that area will be given paths that no longer cross through it. 
Why doesn't my zone list where I should evacuate to during an emergency? 

Information regarding where to go during an evacuation is dependent on the emergency itself. If a zone is activated for an evacuation order, warning, or other protective action that information may be available on this map but would be provided to the public in many ways including alert and notification systems, social media, the media and on ReadySLO.org.
Do I have to remember my zone number to know if I need to evacuate? 
While it is helpful to know the name of your zone, it is not necessary.  Emergency officials will always include the boundaries of an impacted area when sending out alerts. 
Did my fire agency participate in the creation of these zones? 
Yes, all fire agencies in the county helped build the zones for their area.