If an emergency happens in Ouray County and evacuation is required, one of the best things you can do is sign up for emergency alerts ahead of time so you’re prepared to receive notifications.

It’s important to sign up with your physical address so you receive location-based alerts. You can sign up for Ouray County Alerts through the county’s website, ouraycountyco.gov, or by texting 65513.

Personal preparation

Personal emergency plans might be the most crucial part of being prepared, according to Ouray County Emergency Manager Glenn Boyd. Both residents and visitors can prepare by identifying evacuation routes out of their area, creating a plan for transportation and keeping key documents and musthave items like prescriptions on hand.

Members of higher-risk populations, such as elderly people and anyone with disabilities that might make it more difficult to evacuate should plan ahead for their needs. It’s also important to know how to receive emergency communication, especially in areas with unreliable cell phone service, and that includes people recreating in the backcountry.

Ultimately, the public shouldn’t wait for word from county officials to evacuate or respond if they encounter an immediate threat. “If you see flames heading your direction, don’t wait for a county alert to get out,” Boyd said.

Evacuation procedures

County officials will advise the best evacuation routes (sign up for those alerts!) but individuals are ultimately responsible for evacuating themselves and can do so at any stage of an evacuation.

Refusing evacuation orders is not a criminal offense, but in most cases, responders won’t rescue people who refuse to evacuate. There are three stages of an evacuation: Be Ready — the public is on notice to prepare for evacuation orders, including packing go-bags and locating family members, pets and vehicles.

Get Set — a voluntary evacuation. The public should evacuate if they feel unsafe or need extra time, such as elderly folks or those with pets or livestock.

Go Now — a mandatory evacuation due to imminent danger. The public should evacuate as soon as possible, follow information about the county’s open evacuation routes and head to designated shelter locations if necessary.

Evacuation routes

Ouray County has limited evacuation routes, which may change depending on the location of an emergency (if a road is blocked for some reason or other dangers are present). If possible, one lane of every evacuation route will remain open for inbound emergency vehicles. Evacuation should be initiated as early as possible to ensure a safe, timely and orderly exit.

Primary evacuation routes include:

Northbound: toward Montrose via U.S. Highway 550 and County Road 1

Southbound: toward Silverton via U.S. Highway 550

Westbound: toward Placerville via Colorado Highway 62

Eastbound: toward Cimarron and Gunnison via County Road 8

Sheltering

People may shelter within the county or in neighboring counties depending on the location and severity of the emergency.

According to the county’s plans, primary shelter locations in the city of Ouray are the Ouray Elks Lodge #492, the Ouray Community Center and the Ouray School.

Primary shelter locations in Ridgway are the Ridgway Elementary School, Ridgway Secondary School and the Ouray County 4-H Events Center and Fairgrounds, which also serves as a livestock and pet shelter. Secondary shelters outside the county include Telluride High School and Friendship Hall conference center in Montrose.

Animals

Animal owners should create a plan for evacuating or sheltering their pets or livestock in the event of an emergency. Primary shelters for large and small animals are the Second Chance Humane Society and the Ouray County 4-H Events Center and Fairgrounds, which can accommodate up to 400 head of large animals.

These are just a few highlights from the county’s revised and recently adopted emergency plans, which you can read in full on ouraycountyco.gov.

Related story: County enhances emergency plans