Evacuation Guide

Minneapolis, Minnesota Evacuation Routes

Plan your escape with optimized routes and safe zones

Threat Assessment

Extreme Cold

Minneapolis is one of the coldest major cities in the US. Polar vortex events can bring temperatures to -30F with wind chill to -60F. January 2019 polar vortex set records. Frostbite in minutes, hypothermia kills. Pipes burst, vehicles fail to start, infrastructure strains.

Blizzard

Major blizzards bring 12-24+ inches of snow with whiteout conditions and dangerous wind chill. The 1991 Halloween Blizzard dropped 28 inches. Travel becomes impossible, power outages from ice-coated lines.

Tornado

Minnesota averages 45 tornadoes per year. May 2011 tornado struck North Minneapolis. Flat terrain provides no natural shielding. Peak season May-August, often with little warning.

Flood

Spring snowmelt and heavy rains flood the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. 1965 and 1997 floods were catastrophic. Flash flooding in urban areas during intense summer thunderstorms.

Evacuation Routes

I-94 West to St. Cloud

primary

Primary western evacuation via I-94 toward St. Cloud and central Minnesota. Well-maintained interstate with consistent services.

65 miles to St. Cloud1 hour (normal), 2-3 hours (evacuation)

I-94 through Minneapolis can be gridlocked during rush hour

Winter whiteouts possible on open stretches west of Rogers

Extreme Cold

Flood

Civil Unrest

I-35W South to Owatonna

secondary

Southern evacuation via I-35W through the southern suburbs toward Owatonna and Rochester.

70 miles to Owatonna1 hour (normal), 2-3 hours (evacuation)

I-35W bridge collapsed in 2007 - replacement bridge is modern and safe

I-35W South through Bloomington heavily congested

Tornado

Severe Weather

Power Grid Failure

I-35E South (St. Paul) to Albert Lea

secondary

Southeastern evacuation via I-35E through St. Paul heading south toward Albert Lea and the Iowa border.

100 miles to Albert Lea1.5 hours (normal), 3-5 hours (evacuation)

Requires driving through St. Paul first - adds time

I-35E through St. Paul has lower speed limits (45 mph zones)

Flood

Extreme Cold

Industrial Accident

I-394 West / US-12 to Willmar

tertiary

Western suburban evacuation via I-394 and US-12 toward the rural communities of central Minnesota.

100 miles to Willmar1.5 hours (normal), 3-4 hours (evacuation)

I-394 ends at US-12 - road narrows to 2 lanes in sections

US-12 passes through small towns with lower speed limits

Civil Unrest

Urban Emergency

Pandemic

Chain of Lakes Trail

foot

On-foot evacuation via the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes trail system. Paved paths connecting multiple lakes and parks from downtown to suburban areas.

10 miles (Loring Park to Minnehaha Falls)3-4 hours on foot, 1.5 hours by bike

DANGEROUS in extreme cold - frostbite in minutes at -30F wind chill

Do NOT use during polar vortex events unless sheltering nearby

Vehicle Unavailable

Road Blockage

Summer Emergencies

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Safe Zones & Rally Points

Minneapolis Convention Center (Emergency Shelter)

shelter • Capacity: 8,000

Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC)

hospital • Capacity: 484

Abbott Northwestern Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 627

University of Minnesota Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 909

Minneapolis Fire Station 1

fire station

Gold Medal Park / Mill City Rally Point

rally point

Target Field / Warehouse District

rally point

US Bank Stadium

shelter • Capacity: 66,000

Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (Emergency Staging)

resource

Minnehaha Falls Park

rally point

Second Harvest Heartland

resource

Regions Hospital (St. Paul)

hospital • Capacity: 454

Minnesota State Capitol (St. Paul)

rally point

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