Neighborhood Meeting Point

Empty park with benches along a leaf-covered pathway, surrounded by autumn trees with orange and yellow foliage.

Type 2: Neighborhood Meeting Point

What This Is For

Your neighborhood meeting point is where you go when you can't return home but don't need to leave your general area. This is for situations like:

  • Gas main break in your neighborhood

  • Hazmat spill nearby

  • Downed power lines blocking your street

  • Your home is damaged but the neighborhood is safe

  • You need somewhere to wait for hours rather than minutes

This is also your backup if your near-home meeting point isn't accessible for some reason.

Criteria for Your Neighborhood Meeting Point

  • Your neighborhood meeting point should be:

  • Walkable - Within 0.5-2 miles (reachable on foot in under 30 minutes)

  • Public - Somewhere you're allowed to be (park, library, school, community center)

  • Safe from local hazards - Not in a flood zone if you live in one, not near hazmat plants

  • Has resources - Ideally has bathrooms, water, shelter from weather

  • Multiple access routes - Can get there more than one way

  • Known to everyone - Family members are familiar with it

  • Likely to be open/accessible - Not somewhere that closes or locks

Good examples:

  • A local park (with name and address)

  • Public library

  • Community center

  • School (if not in session)

  • Place of worship

  • Shopping center parking lot (specific corner)

  • Fire station (they'll know what to do with you)

Not ideal:

  • A neighbor's house (they may have evacuated too)

  • Your workplace (may be affected by same emergency)

  • Restaurants or businesses (may be closed)

  • Anywhere in a flood zone, near railways, or near industrial areas

Choose Your Neighborhood Meeting Point Now

Think about public places within a mile of your home:

What parks, schools, libraries, or community centers are nearby?

Write down:

  • Name: "Lincoln Park"

  • Specific location within it: "The playground near the Oak Street entrance"

  • Full address: "450 Oak Street"

  • What it looks like: "Large playground with red equipment, next to tennis courts"

Map multiple routes to get there:

  • Primary route: Your usual way

  • Alternate route: A different way in case primary is blocked

  • On foot: The walking route if you can't drive

Visit It With Your Family

Take a field trip to your neighborhood meeting point:

1. Drive there together - Follow both routes

2. Walk around - Identify specific spots: "We'll meet at the picnic tables by the parking lot"

3. Take photos - Especially of the specific meeting spot

4. Note landmarks - "It's across from the gas station"

5. Check for facilities - Are there bathrooms? Water fountains? Shelter?

6. Look for information boards - Many parks and public spaces have disaster info

Talk through scenarios:

  • "If our street is blocked and we can't get home, where would we meet?"

  • "If we're separated during the day and cell phones don't work, where should we go?"

  • "If we're here and it starts getting dark, what's our next move?"

What to Do When You Arrive

If you get to your neighborhood meeting point:

1. Wait for family members - Give them reasonable time to arrive

2. Leave a note if you move on - Indicate where you went next

3. Check with any official presence - Park rangers, police, etc.

4. Assess your situation:

  • Can you return home safely?

  • Do you need to go to your out-of-area destination?

  • Do you need to go to an emergency shelter?

5. Try to communicate - Text, call, social media updates

6. Register with Red Cross if this becomes an extended situation

Resources

  • Red Cross Find a Shelter: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html

  • FEMA Evacuation Guidelines: https://www.ready.gov/evacuation

Choosing Evacuation and Meeting Points