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Your comprehensive, actionable guide to navigating emergencies in Seattle.
This guide uses AI-researched data and is being verified by our team. Routes and locations should be confirmed before use in an emergency.
Seattle's key evacuation corridors are I-5 North and South, I-90 East across Lake Washington, and SR-520 East. The city's geography between Puget Sound and Lake Washington creates bottlenecks at bridges. In an earthquake scenario, assume all floating bridges (I-90, SR-520) and the West Seattle Bridge may be compromised.
Eastern evacuation over the Cascades via I-90 or US-2 provides access to safer interior regions. Ferries from Colman Dock or Bainbridge may offer water-based evacuation when roads are impassable.
Communication: Primary: cell/text. Secondary: out-of-state contact. Seattle's cell towers may be overwhelmed - use text messages which require less bandwidth. Register with Safe & Well (redcross.org).
Meeting Points: Primary: Gas Works Park (high ground, open). Secondary: Green Lake Park. Out-of-area: designate contact east of Cascades.
Roles: Assign roles: Person A grabs documents and go-bags. Person B handles children and pets. Person C secures home (gas shutoff, water shutoff) and drives.
Use this guide as a base for your personalized strategy.