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<br />is especially important in areas with limited escape
<br />routes or areas where mass evacuations may be
<br />necessary, such as hurricane zones, Adequately
<br />protected sites must be available at which the
<br />manufactured homes can be temporarily stored
<br />until it is determined that they can be returned to
<br />t':!..eir permanent sites,
<br />Another important element of an evacuation
<br />plan is the need for an effective early,warning
<br />system, Considerable time is required for the ac-
<br />tual implementation of an evacuation, therefore
<br />adequate warning is essential, Lead time required
<br />will vary by situation and is composed of several
<br />factors, some tangible and some unpredictable,
<br />Once the decision is made to evacuate, the plan
<br />must be initiated, As with any emergency situa-
<br />tion, communication problems may be en-
<br />countered, Participants, including owners of the
<br />manufactured homes, must be alerted, The status
<br />of evacuation routes and temporary storage areas
<br />must be assessed, Towing devices, such as
<br />trucks, tractors, crawlers, etc" must be obtained
<br />and brought to the flood zones, The manufactured
<br />homes will require preparation for transport,
<br />Utilities must be disconnected, contents must be
<br />secured, and separation from any foundation
<br />system and wind anchors must be accomplished,
<br />Coupling to the towing device is also involved,
<br />Time required for actual transport will vary depend-
<br />ing upon distance to temporary site, number and
<br />condition of towing units, weather and traffic con-
<br />ditions, etc,
<br />In addition to the time required to perform these
<br />necessary tasks, additional time will likely be re-
<br />quired to resolve problems such as mechanical
<br />failure or lack of necessary personnel and equip-
<br />ment. Sufficient warning time to be provided by
<br />a warning system is a function of all of the above
<br />considerations and the number of manufactured
<br />homes to be evacuated,
<br />The feasibility of an evacuation strategy is also
<br />affected by the availability of necessary equipment
<br />and personnel. Towing units must be procurable,
<br />and special equipment and tools will be necessary
<br />to prepare the manufactured home for transport,
<br />Jacks will be required for separation from foun-
<br />dation, hand tools will be necessary for utility
<br />disconnection and preparation work, and special
<br />equipment, such as portable lights and air com-
<br />pressors to inflate tires, should be considered, Am-
<br />ple, capable personnel must be available to coor-
<br />dinate efforts and execute the actual procedures,
<br />This includes coordination, equipment operation,
<br />manufactured home preparation, and trouble-
<br />shooting,
<br />Owners may be incapable of performing
<br />evacuation tasks themselves as certain skills may
<br />be required, particularly where safety considera-
<br />
<br />tions are involved, such as the disconnection of
<br />gas and electricity services, Representatives of
<br />utility services should, at a minimum, be involved
<br />in the planning process of the evacuation.
<br />The success of the evacuation is also directly
<br />related to the condition of the manufactured
<br />homes themselves, Structural integrity must be
<br />such that the unit can be transported without
<br />damage, The manufactured home's transport
<br />system, including the chassis, axles, wheels, tires,
<br />and hitch must be well maintained, The system
<br />must either be in place and operational or capable
<br />of being readily assembled, The manufactured
<br />home must be easily separable from any founda-
<br />tion, skirting, wind anchors, and structural
<br />elements such as porches and additions, Quick
<br />and safe utility disconnect is also a requirement.
<br />The actual evacuation plan must be developed
<br />based on the number of manufactured homes to
<br />be transported, Other factors must also be quan,
<br />titatively assessed: evacuation routes and storage
<br />areas, towing units and available equipment and
<br />personnel. The status of these parameters, in ad-
<br />dition to the warning system, must also be ad,
<br />dressed, The pi' ,should be functional, simple,
<br />and easily mar .ged, A priority basis should be
<br />established-those manufactured homes most ex,
<br />posed to potential flood damage should be reo
<br />moved first.
<br />Participants must be familiar with overall pro-
<br />cedures and individual tasks. To make the plan
<br />complete, consideration must also be given to
<br />returning the manufactured homes back to their
<br />permanent sites when it is deemed to be safe, This
<br />could involve considerable restoration work,
<br />Before development of an evacuation plan is
<br />undertaken, it should be determined that no other
<br />alternatives are practicable, The iilisolute conclu-
<br />sion that must be made is that evacuation can be
<br />accomplished safely without jeopardizing life or
<br />property,
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