What to pack if you might need to evacuate

When mandatory evacuation orders come, it's time to hit the road. Typically, you'll have some advance notice from authorities that an evacuation is possible. At the first sign that you might have to evacuate, get your things ready. "The earlier people leave, the better off they are," said Jessica Kellogg, an emergency management coordinator with the city of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department. Leaving quickly once you're ordered to evacuate means you have more time to get to safety, she said, and it helps firefighters keep roads clear of congestion.